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A   TWENTIETH 

CENTURY 

IDEALIST 


BY 


HENRY   PETTIT 


Under  the  Surface  of  the  Ordinary  Life  Lie  Great  Mysteries — 
The  Real  Part  of  Man  Is  in  His  Ideals 


THE  GRAFTON  PRESS 

PUBLISHERS  NEW  YORK 


COPTRIGHT,    1905, 
BY 

HENRY    PETTIT 


ef 


TABLE   OF   CONTENTS 

AND 

PLAN  OF  THE  BOOK 


CHAP.  PROLOGUE.  PAGE 

I.     (a)   Inquisitive  Admiration — Two  Kinds 1 

II.     (b)  How  THE  Professor  Was  Won 7 

PART    FIRST. 
At  Home  in  the  States.     The  Physical  Dominant. 

III.  Adele  Herself 17 

IV.  She.  Hears  the  Words  of  a  Song 23 

V.    After  Dark  in  the  Park — The  Doctor 39 

VI.    An  Avatar  in  the  Occident 44 

(a)  Conversation  with  Papa. 

(b)  The  Theophany  of  Spring.    Adele  in  the 

Park. 
VII.    Off  to  Asia 55 

PART    SECOND. 

Crossing  the  Atlantic — Up  the  Mediterranean. 

Mentality  Dominant. 

VIII.    A  Studio  for  Impressions 61 

IX.     A  Budget  of  New  Sciences 64 

X.     Palmistry  Poses  as  Mental  Science 71 

XI.    Amateur  Mental  Science 76 

XII.     Amateur  Tactics — A  Fright-full  Cure 83 

XIII.  Adele's  Meditations 89 

XIV.  Another  Commotion — Religious-Curative 92 

What  is  Perfection? 

XV.     Two  Simultaneous  Soliloquies 105 

XVI.     Courage  versus  Foolhardiness 110 

XVII.     Two  Rescues,  and  Two  Girls 115 

XVIII.     A  Sensation  versus  an  Impression 120 

XIX.     Gibraltar  Appears  and  Disappears 124 

iii 


iv    CONTENTS  AND  PLAN  OF  THE  BOOK 


CHAP.  PAGE 

XX.  The  Artistic  Sense.    At  Capri 130 

XXI.  An  Artist  with  Double  Vision 135 

XXII.  The  Secret  of  a  Life 144 

XXIII.  Olympus — Court  Festivities 149 

XXIV.  The  Gods  Interfere 152 

XXV.  Aphrodite  Rlses  from  the  Sea 159 

Eros-Cupid — The  Modern-Antique. 
Intermezzo. 

XXVI.        Allegro — The  World's  Highway. 169 

XXVI I.        Andante — The  Royal  Route 173 

XXVIII.    The  Afterglow 174 

PART    THIRD. 
In  the  Far  East.     Spirituality  Dominant. 

XXIX.     Mystification — Illness  and  Hallucination 180 

XXX.     Convalescence  and  Common  Sense 188 

XXXI.     Off  to  the  Himalayas 196 

XXXII.     The  Start  Upwards 200 

The  Himalaya  Railway — Fly  Express. 

XXXIII.  A  Glimpse  of  the  Primitive 214 

THE  HIMALAYA  CATHEDRAL. 

XXXIV.  Adele  Sees  the  Delectable  Mountains 217 

XXXV.     The  Cathedral  by  the  Supreme  Architect 225 

XXXVI.     Progress  of  the  Building 229 

XXXVII.    Primate  of  the  Cathedral 233 

The  Message  of  the  Seer — Ex-Cathedra. 
Intermezzo. 

The  Voice  in  Nature. 

XXXVIII.        Cathedral  Orchestra  and   Organ 241 

Divine  Solos. 

XXXIX.     On  a  Pinnacle  in  Nature 243 

XL.     A  Glimpse  of  Taoism 253 

XLI.     Processional  Before  the  Veil 262 

XLII.    On  Holy  Ground 269 

XLIII.     Sacrifice 274 

XLI V.     The  Everyday  Ritual 282 

Adele  and  Paul.    A  Dandy  passes  by. 
XLV.     Ritual  of  the  Human  Race 292 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGB 

View  from  Pinnacle  on  Roof  of  Cathedrait— the  Delect- 
able Mountains  Beyond. 

Among  the  Himalayas.  Supposed  highest  summits  on 
the  earth's  surface.  Elevation,  29,000  feet.  From  near 
Sundookphoo,   1885 Frontispiece 

As   Incense  Ascends— Symbolic,  from  Ages  Past,  of  the 
Prayers  of  Humanity. 

The  Kunchingunga  Snowy  Range.  Elevation,  28,156 
feet.     Scene  from  Observatory  Hill,  Darjeeling 268 


"Nature  herself  is  an  idea  of  the  mind  and  is  never  presented 
to  the  senses.  She  lies  under  the  veil  of  appearances,  but  is  her- 
self never  apparent.  To  the  art  of  the  ideal  is  lent,  or,  rather, 
absolutely  given,  the  privilege  to  grasp  the  spirit  of  all,  and  bind 
it  in  a  corporeal  form." 

"Art  has  for  its  object  not  merely  to  afford  a  transient 
pleasure,  to  excite  to  a  momentary  dream  of  liberty;  its  aim  is 
to  make  us  absolutely  free.  And  this  is  accomplished  by  awaken- 
ing, exercising,  and  perfecting  in  us  a  power  to  remove  to  an 
objective  distance  the  sensible  world  (which  otherwise  only  bur- 
dens us  as  rugged  matter,  and  presses  us  down  with  a  brute 
influence) ;  to  transform  it  into  the  free  working  of  our  spirit, 
and  thus  acquire  a  dominion  over  the  material  by  means  of  ideas. 
For  the  very  reason  also  that  true  art  requires  somewhat  of  the 
objective  and  real,  it  is  not  satisfied  with  a  show  of  truth:  it  rears 
its  ideal  edifice  on  truth  itself — on  the  solid  and  deep  foundation 
of  Nature." 

— From  Schiller's  The  Use  of  the  Chorus  in  Tragedy. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY 
IDEALIST 


INQUISITIVE   ADMIRATION 

THEEE  certainly  is  a  subtle  charm  from  personal  in- 
tercourse with  those  who  seek  a  comprehensive  view 
of  life,  and  strive  to  live  according  to  their  own  ideals. 
People  who  live  upon  broader  lines  than  their  neighbors  are 
apt  to  be  interesting  from  that  fact  alone,  and  the  charm 
becomes  quite  fascinating  when  these  ideals  take  form  and  they 
practice  what  they  profess.  Even  if  they  do  not  succeed 
according  to  our  notions,  and  fail  to  grasp  until  late  in  life 
some  of  the  profound  concepts  which  underlie  the  manifest 
workings  of  the  mind  of  nature,  the  effort  on  their  part  counts 
in  their  favor — their  actions  speak  louder  than  words. 

The  Doctor  was  in  his  library  when  he  mused  thus.  Books 
upon  peculiar  subjects  lay  around  him,  some  open,  others 
closed;  and  his  eye  fell  upon  a  few  articles  which  had  been 
selected  for  their  special  significance  quite  as  carefully  as  the 
books.  The  Doctor  was  much  interested  in  what  he  called 
"the  hidden  meaning  of  things,"  and  the  character  of  his 
library,  with  its  peculiar  contents,  showed  the  fact. 

Putting  aside  his  cigar,  he  looked  across  the  room,  as  if  to 
give  audible  expression  to  his  thoughts,  towards  a  younger  man 
of  quite  a  different  type,  an  individual  whose  very  presence 
suggested  he  had  not  ignored  athletics  while  at  college,  even  if 
the  studies  had  been  exacting. 

1 


2  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

The  Doctor  was  about  to  call  him  by  name,  when  he  hesi- 
tated, his  deeper  interest  in  the  young  fellow  asserted  itself; 
he  concluded  to  take  a  good  look  at  him  first,  and  avoid  if 
possible  any  error  in  approaching  the  subject  he  wished  to 
bring  up.  He  already  knew  him  so  well  that  it  did  not  take 
long  to  recall  certain  facts  bearing  upon  the  situation. 

Paul  was  not  as  a  general  thing  given  to  bothering  about 
hidden  meanings.  His  diving  below  the  surface  had  been 
chiefly  as  a  swimmer,  from  early  boyhood  until  more  recent 
experience.  He  possessed  a  keener  appreciation  of  surface 
values  and  the  exhilaration  from  a  good  bath  rather  than  what 
he  might  bring  up  by  deep  diving.  But  being  young,  energetic, 
and  sincere,  his  very  energy  itself  was  bound  to  bring  him 
down  to  the  verge  of  deeper  experience.  In  fact  as  the  Doctor 
looked  at  him  he  appeared  like  unto  one  standing  upon  the 
rockbound  coast  of  the  ocean  of  life  ready  to  take  the  plunge, 
whenever — he  felt  like  it. 

''Take  things  as  they  are,"  was  one  of  Paul's  favorite 
expressions. 

The  Doctor  concluded  he  would,  and  broke  the  silence : 

"How  did  you  enjoy  last  evening?" 

"Immensely." 

"Thought  you  would." 

"Yes  ?  Greatly  obliged  for  the  introduction,"  and  Paul  con- 
tinued examining  some  illustrations  in  a  periodical  apropos 
of  the  coming  coronation  in  England. 

The  Doctor  determined  to  rivet  his  attention. 

"I  admire  Adele  Cultus  greatly,  don't  you  ?" 

"No  doubt  she  would  look  well,  wearing  a  coronet  like  this 
—look  at  it." 

The  Doctor  did  not  look,  but  continued : 

"She  certainly  has  some  ideal  of  her  own  about  life  in 
general,  and,  I  suspect,  about  herself  in  particular." 

"Shouldn't  wonder,"  said  Paul,  laconic, 

"But  she  is  thoroughly  sincere  about  it." 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  3 

"Possibly,  but  last  night  the  sincerity  was  all  on  my 
side." 

"How  so?" 

"Well,  I  would  have  danced  with  her  the  evening  through, 
if  she  had  let  me — she  loves  dancing." 

The  Doctor's  eyes  twinkled:  "Don't  you  think  she  is  a 
striking  personality?" 

"Striking  ?  Oh,  yes !  gracefully  so,  deux-temps  spirituelle. 
I  felt  the  effect  at  once." 

"In  character  ?" 

Paul  smiled.  "I  call  it  strikingly  practical — no  nonsense ; 
she  wouldn't  let  me,  and  that  settled  it." 

"Of  course  she  had  her  own  way — at  a  ball,"  remarked  the 
Doctor  dryly. 

"Oh,  of  course !  of  course !  She  certainly  would  support  a 
coronet  first-rate;  it  would  not  be  the  coronet's  part  to  sup- 
port her." 

"No  doubt  you  are  right,  Paul.  I  was  only  asking  some 
test  questions,"  and  the  Doctor  subsided,  as  if  he  had  more 
to  say  but  would  not  venture. 

"Test  questions?    Whom  were  you  testing?"  asked  Paul. 

"Both  of  you,"  said  the  Doctor. 

"Where  did  you  first  meet  her  ?"  asked  Paul,  still  examining 
the  periodical. 

"Where  ? — we  didn't  meet !  I  heard  her  voice  through  the 
crack  of  a  door." 

"H'm !"     And  Paul  put  down  his  book. 

"It  was  while  I  was  convalescent  at  the  hospital  after  that 
bicycle  accident.  She  was  a  volunteer  nurse,  and  a  remark- 
ably good  one  among  not  a  few  devoted  women.  You  were 
right  about  her  being  practical  and  spirituelle,  and  so  was  I 
about  her  being  spiritual." 

Paul  took  up  a  cigarette.  A  cloud  of  smoke  enveloped  his 
head,  his  facial  expression  hid  behind  the  cloud.  The  Doctor 
continued : 


4  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"You  know  it  takes  a  fair  combination  of  the  practical  and 
spiritual  to  make  a  true  nurse  ?" 

Paul  agreed  mentally,  but  all  the  Doctor  heard  was  a  voice 
from  behind  the  cloud,  ''she  dances  like  an  angel." 

Angelic  dancing  not  being  in  the  Doctor's  repertoire  of 
investigation,  he  changed  to  another  point  of  view. 

"While  I  was  convalescent  at  the  hospital  it  was  very  amus- 
ing to  read  hands  by  palmistry.    I  read  her  hand." 

"You  held  her  hand,  you  mean?" 

"Of  course." 

"You  don't  mean  to  tell  me  you  read  her  character  by  the 
lines  written  in  her  hand !     Nonsense !" 

"I  did  not.  I  merely  noticed  the  natural  tendencies  of  the 
individual  as  shown  by  the  form  of  the  hand.  Her  character- 
istics, not  her  character." 

"I  don't  believe  in  it,"  remarked  Paul,  positive. 

'TTou  don't  ?  Well,  just  swap  hands  with  some  other  fellow 
and  observe  the  consequences." 

Paul  laughed.    "Excuse  me — quite  satisfied  with  my  own." 

"Just  so,"  said  the  Doctor,  "and  there  is  good  reason  why 
you  feel  the  satisfaction ;  the  consequences  would  be  not  only 
absurd,  but  positively  disastrous." 

Paul  began  to  feel  interested  as  the  Doctor  forced  the  prac- 
tical issue  upon  his  attention. 

"The  consequences  of  any  change  from  the  special  form 
of  your  own  hand  would  only  prove  that  the  other  fellow's 
hands  do  not  fit  your  personality." 

Paul,  who  really  knew  much  more  about  persons  than  per- 
sonalities, blew  another  cloud  of  smoke  towards  the  ceiling, 
and  listened. 
>  "You  know,  Nature  never  makes  any  mistakes." 

"I  hope  not,  or  I'm  a  goner,"  quizzed  Paul. 

!'       "And  personality  is  really  made  up  of  three  in  one,  a  trinity 
of  the  physical,  mental,  and  spiritual.    You're  a  sort  of  trinity 
>^^ yourself,  my  boy.     You'll  find  it  out  some  day  if  you  don't 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  5 

swap  hands  with  some  other  fellow  and  spoil  your  own  combi- 
nation." 

"What  did  you  learn  by  holding  Miss  Cultus'  hand  ?" 

The  Doctor  was  a  little  slow  in  replying,  in  fact,  choosing 
which  of  the  many  things  he  had  observed  was  the  particular 
one  to  which  he  had  best  call  Paul's  attention.    Then  he  spoke : 

"She  shows  marked  individuality  based  upon  rather  a  rare 
type,  yet  a  mixed  hand;  most  Americans  and  Chinese  are 
mixed.    You  know,  pure  types  are  very  rare." 

"You  don't  say  so  ?"  quizzed  Paul ;  "  *mixed,'  and  like  the 
Chinese.  What  a  wonderful  insight  for  diagnosis  palmistry 
possesses!"    The  Doctor  continued: 

"In  the  main,  her  hand  manifests  the  exceeding  rare  psychic 
type, — that  is,  she  loves  and  seeks  the  truth  for  its  own  sake." 

"There!  I  told  you  she  was  angelic,  a  practical  angel," 
interrupted  Paul.    The  Doctor  kept  straight  on : 

"And  with  this  there  are  other  features  indicating  both  the 
useful  and  the  philosophic  elements  in  her  make-up,  very 
strong,  each  in  its  own  relative  domain." 

"Extraordinary!  truly!"  quoth  Paul.  "The  useful  must 
have  come  to  the  front  when  she  was  acting  nurse,  and  the 
philosophic  when  she  told  me  we  had  danced  enough  for  one 
evening.  As  to  the  psychic, — let  me  see !  the  psychic ! — well, 
to  be  frank,  Doctor,  I  can't  say  I  have  seen  that  as  yet." 

"Oh,  yes,  you  have,"  thought  the  Doctor,  "or  you  would  not 
be  showing  the  interest  you  are  taking  just  now."  This  sub 
rosa,  and  then  he  turned  the  topic  once  more : 

"Where  do  you  suppose  she  got  those  traits,  so  forcible  in 
combination  ?" 

"Got  her  hands?"  exclaimed  Paul  the  practical.  "Inher- 
ited them  of  course,  even  the  skin-deep  profundity  of  palm- 
istry is  not  required  to  guess  a  diagnosis  for  that." 

The  Doctor's  eyes  again  twinkled.  "Whom  did  she  inherit 
them  from?" 

"Father  and  mother, — ^what  nonsense  to  ask !" 


6  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"Why  not  her  grandparents?" 

"Give  it  up,"  said  Paul.    "Take  things  as  they  are." 

Now,  the  result  of  this  decidedly  mixed  but  suggestive  con- 
versation was  to  excite  curiosity  in  both  the  Doctor  and  Paul. 
Not  that  they  formed  a  conspiracy  to  learn  about  Miss  Cultus' 
forbears ;  quite  the  contrary.  Simply  by  friction  in  time  they 
learned  something  of  the  natural  causes  which  had  produced 
her  charming  personality,  so  attractive  to  all  who  met  her. 

That  they  both  had  been  led  to  respect  and  admire  her  upon 
short  acquaintance  was  only  too  evident, — on  the  surface. 
What  was  not  quite  so  evident,  for  neither  of  them  had  said 
so,  was  that  each  had  noticed  her  devotion  to  her  mother, 
constant,  ever  thoughtful,  as  if  to  make  her  appear  to  the  best 
advantage :  as  to  her  father,  she  simply  idolized  him. 

Some  of  the  items  they  learned  had  best  be  stated  at  once, 
for  her  ancestors,  in  immediate  relationship,  certainly  did  cast 
their  shadows  before ;  and  the  blending  of  the  shades  and  shad- 
ows later  on  in  her  life,  formed  a  character  that  was  lovely 
and  inspiring. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 


II 

HOW   THE    PROFESSOR   WAS   WON 

FEW  who  knew  Mrs.  Cultus  in  after  years,  when  as  an 
active  woman  of  the  world  she  displayed  much  tact 
dominated  by  kindly  consideration  for  others,  would 
have  suspected  the  peculiar  phases  of  development  through 
which  she  passed  in  younger  days,  during  the  immature 
period  of  youth  when  the  same  natural  tendencies  took  differ- 
ent forms,  and  were  so  different  in  degree.  From  one  point 
of  view  the  difference  in  degree  produced  a  difference  in 
kind — she  appeared  to  be  a  different  sort  of  woman.  What 
she  did  when  young  was  often  mistaken  for  selfishness  alone, 
whereas  the  same  natural  tendency,  operating  as  reasonable 
ambition,  after  finding  its  true  sphere,  exerted  a  far  nobler 
activity,  profoundly  different  in  both  degree  and  kind.  Not 
a  few  expressed  surprise  when  her  ambition  to  lead  became 
coupled  with  a  determination  to  help  others  along  at  the  same 
time.  Always  ambitious,  and  with  strong  social  instincts,  she 
read  the  book  of  life  rather  than  literary  productions;  but 
when  she  did  deign  to  peruse  a  popular  novel,  her  criticism 
punctured  the  absurdities  of  modern  snap-shot  incongruity. 
She  was  never  selfish  at  heart,  but  she  certainly  did  have  a  way-' 
of  using  the  world  without  abusing  it,  personally;  and  her 
own  way  of  expressing  herself. 

As  to  the  Professor,  her  husband,  he  found  himself  going 
to  be  married  without  having  fully  analyzed  the  case. 

Charming  manners  and  cultivated  tastes,  largely  inherited 


8  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

from  antecedents  in  the  professional  walks  of  life,  had  led 
Professor  Cultus  to  fascinate  and  charm  not  a  few  during  his 
youth  and  early  manhood, — what  more  natural !  He  was  slow 
however  to  realize  that  in  so  doing  he  might  encounter 
another,  gifted  as  himself  yet  of  an  entirely  different  type, 
complementary ;  and  so  it  came  to  pass. 

While  returning  from  a  congress  of  anthropologists  which 
met  on  the  Continent,  where  there  had  been  much  discussion 
of  the  genus  homo  through  many  stages  of  development,  the 
Professor  was  fated  to  be  himself  taught  a  lesson  in  anthro- 
pology which  never  after  lost  its  hold  upon  him.  It  gave  him 
much  subject  for  thought,  but  not  exactly  of  the  kind  suitable 
for  a  technical  paper  before  the  next  congress. 

He  met  an  individual  whose  antecedents  no  doubt  did  have 
the  same  number  of  fingers  and  toes  as  his  own,  but  whose 
"thinking  matter"  in  her  brain  seemed  to  operate  differently 
from  his  own;  and  whose  experience  in  life  had  been  very 
different;  one  of  whose  position  in  the  chain  of  physiological 
development  he  knew  much  intellectually,  but  whose  innate 
appreciation  of  facts  and  ability  to  perform  he  had  no  adequate 
realizing  sense  whatever ;  her  avenue  to  truth,  through  hered- 
ity, being  quite  different  from  his  own. 

They  were  fellow  passengers  upon  one  of  the  palatial 
steamers  which  then  first  appeared  upon  the  North  Atlantic, 
and  it  took  her  only  the  ten  days'  voyage  to  capture  the 
Professor,  his  charming  manners,  his  intellectual  efforts  and 
his  anthropological  researches,  all  complete. 

How  did  she  do  it?  and  what  did  she  propose  to  do  with 
him  after  she  got  him  ? 

The  answer  might  be  given  in  a  single  sentence:  she  met 
him  first  with  his  own  weapons,  charming  manners  and  an 
intellect  as  bright  as  his  own;  then  caught  him  because  he 
was  objectively  philosophic  and  for  pure  science,  so  called, 
while  she  was  subjectively  philosophic  and  for  pure  material 
results.    She  was  quite  as  philosophic  as  he  was, — also  knew 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  9 

chalk  from  cheese  when  she  saw  it.  The  Professor  preferred 
to  analyze  the  composition  before  forming  an  opinion.  While 
he  was  analyzing,  she  so  mixed  the  ingredients  in  his  mental 
laboratory  that  he  could  no  longer  difEerentiate  or  reason  upon 
the  subject  of  a  marriage  at  all :  and  in  truth  it  must  be  stated, 
his  own  youth  was  not  much  inclined  that  way  either.  His 
heart  got  the  better  of  his  head. 

Thus  was  the  youthful  Professor  actually  forced  to  accept 
the  situation  philosophically.  He  flattered  himself  that  in 
time  he  would  be  able  to  investigate  more  fully,  and  make 
any  needed  adjustments  later  on.  She  flattered  herself  that 
she  would  be  quite  equal  to  any  emergency  that  might  arise, 
as  she  proposed  not  only  to  push  him  to  the  very  front  among 
his  contemporaries,  but  also  use  his  exalted  position  to  attain 
her  own  social  ends. 

When  they  first  met,  both  away  from  home,  in  mid-ocean, 
their  mental  activities  alert,  stimulated  by  what  each  had 
experienced  abroad,  and  little  on  hand  to  occupy  the  time,  the 
conditions  were  favorable.  Even  the  menu  on  board  ship 
was  highly  seasoned  after  its  kind,  during  the  day,  and  after 
dark  the  stars  twinkled  doubly  in  the  heavens  above,  and  the 
mysterious  depths  below,  while  they  looked  at  "the  Dipper" 
together. 

No  sooner  did  the  charmingly  vivacious  young  lady  observe 
the  Professor's  attractive  appearance  than  she  made  up  her 
mind ;  and  noticing  that  he  sat  at  the  Captain's  table  as  one  of 
the  selected  few  on  board,  she  determined  to  know  him  per- 
sonally. 

Professor  Cultus  in  young  manhood  certainly  did  look 
handsome,  of  the  intellectual  type.  His  dark  eyes  were  noticed 
by  others  besides  Miss  Carlotta  Gains.  The  prospect  of  this 
new  acquaintance  was  quite  enough  to  cause  her  to  exert  her- 
self, so  she  frankly  told  Fraulein  Ritter,  under  whose  care  she 
was  returning  home,  that  she  would  like  immensely  to  have 
that  gentleman  presented  to  her. 


10  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

Carlotta  had  been  to  Berlin,  taking  lessons  in  singing  under 
Fraulein  Hitter's  direction  and  chaperonage;  had  been  under 
rather  strict  surveillance  while  studying,  and  had  not  much 
enjoyed  that  particular  phase  of  a  young  woman's  student 
life  in  Berlin.  When  once  clear  of  the  Continental  proprieties, 
the  American  girl  began  again  to  assert  herself.  Carlotta  was 
certainly  fortunate  in  having  such  a  one  as  Fraulein  Hitter 
to  consult,  for  she  in  turn  was  quite  an  authority  in  her  own 
branch.  Educated  at  Weimar  during  the  days  of  Liszt's 
supremacy,  Fraulein  Eitter  had  no  small  reputation  after- 
wards from  her  publications  relating  to  music  in  general  and 
voice  culture  in  particular.  Incidentally  she  had  met  not  a 
few  of  the  members  attending  the  congress, — in  fact.  Professor 
Cultus  had  already  been  presented  to  her  in  Berlin;  so  there 
being  nothing  to  shock  Fraulein's  German  sense  of  propriety 
in  granting  Carlotta's  request,  an  introduction  followed. 

"Professor,  allow  me  to  present  you  to  my  pupil.  Miss 
Carlotta  Gains.  Possibly  you  have  heard  of  her  father, 
Mr.  Anthony  G.  Gains,  of  Silverton,  Eldorado."  Why  Frau- 
lein should  have  supposed  that  any  knowledge  of  Anthony 
Gains  out  in  Eldorado  could  possibly  have  reached  the 
Professor  can  only  be  attributed  to  the  benign  influence 
of  Carlotta's  lucky  star,  and  the  other  well  authenticated  fact 
that  "the  world  is  not  so  big  after  all."  As  luck  would  have 
it,  the  Professor  had  known  Mr.  Gains  fairly  well,  and  not  so 
many  years  back,  when  at  the  early  stage  of  his  career  he  had 
been  called  upon  to  give  expert  testimony  in  a  certain  law 
suit  involving  technical  information.  The  Professor  had 
found  Mr.  Gains  a  first-rate,  all-round,  square-minded  Ameri- 
can, from  his  point  of  view,  and  Grab  Gains,  as  his  Eldorado 
friends  dubbed  him,had  much  appreciated  the  young  scientist's 
unbiased  clear  statements  as  a  witness.  Being  astute  and 
practical  in  business,  upon  gaining  the  law  suit  he  had  given 
his  expert,  on  the  spot,  the  biggest  fee  he  had  received  up  to 
that  time, — not  for  his  testimony — oh,  no, — for  some  other 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST         11 

work  which  came  up  incidentally,  quite  beyond  his  expenses 
and  regular  charge. 

Gains's  business  foresight  was  not  devoid  of  results.  The 
Professor  at  once  thought  he  knew  much  about  the  antecedents 
of  the  young  lady,  and  expressed  himself  as  delighted  to  meet 
the  daughter  of  his  former  friend.  Of  course  he  referred  to 
the  general  circumstances  under  which  they  had  met,  and 
praised  Eldorado  as  a  locality  of  great  scientific  interest. 

Miss  Carlotta  put  two  and  two  together,  and  recalled  her 
father's  remark  that  he  would  never  have  gained  that  case  if 
the  Professor  had  not  "talked  science  so  that  the  jury  could 
understand."  The  Professor  seemed  pleased  to  know  it.  Car- 
lotta at  once  determined  to  appreciate  the  Professor  just  as 
that  jury  had  done;  so  she  immediately  introduced  a  topic 
bound  to  be  of  interest  to  him. 

"What  a  success  your  congress  proved  to  be,  Professor." 

"Quite  so, — more  than  we  anticipated.  But  I  did  not 
suspect  it  would  attract  your  attention." 

"Why  not  ?  Fraulein  takes  all  the  publications ;  I  intend  to 
read  your  paper  with  special  interest,"  her  ambition  leading 
her  more  than  half  way. 

The  Professor  looked  quizzical.  "I  fear  you  will  find  it 
rather  slow  for  cursory  reading."  Then  his  responsive  manner 
getting  the  best  of  him  he  added  with  considerable  effect :  "It 
will  give  me  the  greatest  pleasure  to  make  it  clear  if  I  can." 

Carlotta  took  him  up  at  once, — but  on  a  topic  she  did  know 
something  about  as  well  as  he,  and  stated  it  after  her  own 
fashion. 

"I  noticed  that  one  of  the  discussions  was  about  the  peculiar 
costumes  of  certain  tribes.  Now,  I  never  did  understand  why 
the  darker  races  should  introduce  brilliant  colors  in  dress  so 
much  more  naturally  and  effectively  than  we  do."    -^ 

The  Professor  instantly  looked  at  her  own  dress  and  thought 
it  very  effective,  in  excellent  taste.    Carlotta  continued : 

"Now,  vrith  us  color  is  often  so  arbitrary,  mere  fashion,  the 


12  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

arrangement  artificial,  and  when  the  thing  is  unbecoming  you 
feel  just  like  a  martyr;"  then,  musingly,  "but  he  won't  find 
that  in  me." 

Professor  Cultus  laughingly  replied  that  "he  really  knew 
little  about  dress" — which  was  a  fib  for  an  anthropologist — but 
he  supposed  that  "Dame  Fashion  was  a  capricious  jade  who 
often  made  her  reputation  by  producing  whims  to  meet  the 
demand  for  something  new;  she  had  certainly  been  known 
to  introduce  what  was  hideous  to  many,  simply  to  cover  up  the 
defects  of  a  favorite  patron." 

Carlotta  at  once  thought,  "Well,  there's  nothing  hideous 
about  me.    I  wonder  what  he  means  ?" 

The  Professor  once  started,  went  on  about  the  darker  races 
using  the  primitive  and  secondary  colors  only  with  such 
marked  effect;  that  they  really  knew  little  about  hues  and 
shades  as  our  civilization  differentiates  colors  and  effects.  He 
was  then  going  on  to  add  something  about  color  in  jewels 
adding  great  effect  to  rich  costumes,  when  Carlotta  gave  a 
little  start,  drew  her  wrap  about  her  and  said  she  felt  cold  and 
chilly. 

Fraulein  at  once  suggested  they  should  leave  the  deck  for 
the  saloon.  Carlotta  acquiesced  as  if  very  grateful,  and  begged 
the  Professor  to  excuse  her. 

Of  course  he  did  so  promptly,  with  s\Tnpathy  excited  by 
fear  lest  she  might  have  suffered  in  consequence  of  his  keeping 
her  standing  too  long  in  a  cold  wand. 

Nothing  of  the  sort.  It  was  the  reference  made  to  jewels 
by  the  Professor  which  had  caused  her  impromptu  nervous 
chill.  Could  he  possibly  have  noticed  the  too  many  rings  she 
wore  and  concluded  she  might  be  rather  loud  in  her  taste? 
That  must  be  rectified  at  once, — so  Carlotta  caught  a  chill  on 
the  spot,  merely  a  little  sympathetic  chill,  but  enough  to  get 
away  and  arrange  things  better  for  the  next  interview.  Cer- 
tainly her  tact  showed  foresight  as  well  as  power  to  meet  an 
emergency  from  her  point  of  view. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  13 

She  knew  instinctively  the  value  of  sympathy  as  well  as 
propinquity.  She  had  gained  her  first  point,  an  introduction ; 
now  for  the  second,  sympathy:  and  she  was  not  slow  to 
act, — much  quicker  than  the  Professor  dreamed  of.  She  did 
things  first  and  discussed  them  afterwards;  that  was  one  of 
her  accomplishments  which  he  often  observed  later  on. 

No  sooner  in  her  state-room  than  Miss  Gains  snatched  off 
every  ring,  all  but  one,  a  fine  ruby  rich  in  color  but  not  too 
large;  '^rubies  never  are,"  she  said,  pensive.  On  this  one  she 
looked  with  much  satisfaction,  it  would  meet  her  requirements 
yet  not  excite  suspicion,  the  removal  of  all  might  do  so. 

But  why  the  ruby? 

Carlotta  was  astute,  like  her  papa,  much  more  so  than  the 
Professor  imagined, — he  learned  that  also  later  on.  What 
troubled  her  now  was  no  new  matter,  and  largely  in  her  own 
imagination.  A  biologist  would  have  told  her  it  was  inherited. 
Being  a  pronounced  blonde  of  the  florid  type,  vivacious,  fond 
of  excitement,  she  had  often  noticed  that  her  hands  became 
rather  rosy  in  color.  So  the  ardent  yet  astute  Miss  Gains  had 
evolved  the  brilliant  yet  practical  idea  that  the  ruby  would  be 
"the  very  thing  to  throw  the  other  red  into  the  shade — 
people  will  notice  the  ruby  and  speak  of  that."  If  she  could 
not  avoid  being  too  rosy,  in  her  own  imagination,  the  ruby 
should  take  the  blame. 

Carlotta  was  politic  also,  like  her  papa,  much  more  so  than 
the  Professor  thought — he  found  that  out  also  later  on.  So  she 
retained  the  ruby  only,  and  wore  a  red  tocque  when  next  on 
deck.  She  would  no  doubt  have  put  on  her  golf  jacket  if  on 
shore,  so  determined  was  she  to  make  those  hands  look  as 
refined  as  possible. 

The  Professor's  sympathy  was  now  to  be  encouraged.  If 
the  too  many  rings  were  to  be  kept  out  of  sight,  it  was  far 
more  important  to  keep  the  object  of  sympathy  in  sight.  Car- 
lotta determined  not  to  get  over  that  chill  too  soon, — not  to 
remain  so  chilly  that  the  state-room  was  the  only  warm  place. 


14  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

but  just  chilly  enough  to  seek  convalescence  wrapped  up  in  a 
becoming  garment,  resting  in  an  easy  chair  in  some  retired 
corner,  or  on  deck  where  the  lights  illumined  others,  and  not 
herself.  Just  chilly  enough  to  require  the  little  attentions  of 
a  sympathetic  friend,  whose  sympathy  she  could  make  warmer 
as  her  own  cold  chill  wore  off. 

Miss  Carlotta  was  diplomatic,  as  the  Professor  also  found 
out.  Once  ensconced  in  that  easy  chair  with  the  Professor  to 
keep  the  chills  off,  her  success  was  already  assured.  Her 
greatest  triumph  consisted  undoubtedly  in  that  she  displayed 
such  a  bright  intelligent  appreciation  of  the  Professor's  point 
of  view  about  everything,  anything  from  chalk  and  cheese  to 
volcanoes  and  earthquakes,  not  omitting  the  science  of  games, 
especially  ping-pong,  and  the  usual  dose  of  theosophy;  and 
so  much  policy  and  diplomacy  as  to  her  own  point  of  view, 
that  to  this  day  the  intellectual  scientist  ascribes  the  results 
primarily  to  his  own  ability  in  courting. 
^  It  was  in  fact  a  double  game  of  life  and  chances,  the  game 
of  all  games,  of  heart  and  head,  that  two  can  play  at.  Carlotta 
won  for  life,  whereas  the  Professor  began  by  taking  chances. 
Propinquity  at  sea, — floating  on  the  waves  from  which  rose 
Aphrodite, 

Of  course  it  became  evident  to  the  Professor  that  Carlotta 
was  precisely  the  person  he  most  desired  in  life, — so  appreci- 
ative, intellectually  bright,  much  knowledge  of  the  world  for 
her  age ;  and  as  she  had  incidentally  remarked  on  one  occasion, 
quite  comfortable  as  to  worldly  goods ; — although,  to  be  frank, 
he  laid  little  stress  upon  the  latter  at  that  time,  having  much 
confidence  in  his  own  resources.  He  was  often  glad  of  it, 
however,  later  on ;  it  also  proved  one  of  the  things  he  learned 
subsequently. 

Before  they  left  the  steamer  there  was  an  understanding, 
and  the  way  seemed  smooth  to  expect  a  favorable  consideration 
from  Carlotta's  parental  governor.    Her  mother  was  no  longer 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST         15 

living,  which  accounted  for  Carlotta's  being  under  the  care  of 
Fraulein. 

As  a  matter  of  fact  Anthony  Gains  was  not  surprised  in  the 
least  when  his  daughter  returned  engaged  to  be  married,  and 
easily  accepted  the  situation  philosophically;  indeed,  rather 
congratulated  himself  that  she  had  not  been  too  independent, 
like  some,  but  deigned  to  go  through  the  formalities  of  making 
the  announcement  subject  to  his  approval. 

"Much  better  to  avoid  unnecessary  fuss,"  he  said  to  himself, 
"and  it  gives  me  a  good  chance  to  spare  the  Professor's  feel- 
ings. In  case  they  had  given  me  the  slip,  I  suppose  a  rumpus 
would  have  been  in  order.  Carlotta's  sensible, — I  know  her 
well, — I'm  glad  she  lived  in  the  West  before  going  to  Europe." 
Her  father  did  know  her  well,  much  better  really  than  he  who 
then  desired  to  take  the  chances.  Papa  also  remembered  with 
much  satisfaction  the  young  scientist  who  had  given  "plain 
talk  to  that  jury."  He  concluded  he  might  be  able  to  give 
plain  talk  to  his  household  if  emergency  required  it.  Finally 
he  told  them  frankly : 

"Having  gone  through  the  mill  myself,  I  guess  you  two  can 
manage  your  own  business  first-rate.  I  don't  suppose  you 
object  if  I  cooperate." 

As  his  practical  cooperation  took  effect  even  before  the 
marriage,  when  he  settled  a  handsome  sum  upon  Carlotta,  the 
Professor  thought  still  more  highly  of  his  prospective  father- 
in-law. 

Not  till  all  was  over,  the  ceremony  an  accomplished  fact, 
and  the  young  people  off  on  another  tour  apropos  of  the 
occasion, — not  till  then  did  Anthony  Gains  allow  himself  to 
whisper  in  a  room  where  there  was  no  telephone : 

"They'll  be  comfortable  anyhow.  These  scientific  fellows 
make  so  little  they  are  not  extravagant  as  a  class.  I  guess  it 
will  be  all  right — God  bless  'em." 

Such  had  been   an   early  but  important   chapter  in  the 


IG  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

experience  of  the  immediate  ancestors  of  Adele  Cultus; — of 
her  whom  both  the  Doctor  and  Paul  had  admired, — Paul 
because  she  was  practical,  the  Doctor  because  she  was  spiritual. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST         17 


III 


ADELE  HERSELF 


IT  is  not  SO  much  what  was  said,  as  who  said  it  and  how 
they  said  it,  that  will  convey  an  adequate  impression  of 
the  charm  exerted  by  Adele  upon  those  she  met.  Of 
her  two  dozen  desperately  intimate  friends  at  school,  each  had 
been  known  to  exclaim,  "Why,  of  course  I  know  her ;  isn't  she 
just  too  lovely  for  anything?"  and  that  covered  the  whole 
ground. 

When  during  college  days  a  coterie  of  Juniors  decided  to 
invite  some  Seniors  to  "a  tea," — ^not  "to  tea,"  for  all  were 
excruciatingly  academic  at  that  period,  there  was  a  spirited 
debate  as  to  the  special  duties  of  each  girl  during  the  function, 
but  not  the  slightest  doubt  that  Adele  should  head  the  Recep- 
tion Committee.  "Why,  my  dear,  she's  just  the  one  for  that 
place.    Don't  you  see  it  ?    We'll  show  them  the  proper  ^pose.' " 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  Adele  did  receive;  also  "poured  out" 
at  times;  also  introduced  some  strangers  to  her  own  kindred 
spirits  to  banish  any  feeling  of  uneasiness;  and  finally 
achieved  the  undoubted  triumph  of  making  two  girls  friends 
again,  the  girls  much  excited,  holding  diametrically  opposite 
opinions  upon  the  momentous  question  of  Cleopatra's  cruelty 
to  animals. 

When  she  graduated,  valedictorian  of  her  class,  she  made 
an  address  neither  too  long  nor  too  short,  not  unlike  her  gown, 
precisely  as  it  should  be, — pointedly  academic  to  start  with 
and  meet  the  case,  then  somewhat  more  colloquial,  recalling 
the  good  times  they  all  had  passed,  and  concluding  with  a 
touching  appeal  "never  to  forget  Alma  Mater."     The  entire 


18  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

class  mentally  promised  they  never  would,  "nor  you  either, 
Adele,"  and  she  was  deluged  with  so  many  future-correspond- 
ents that  the  prospect  became  really  alarming. 

When  she  made  her  debut,  scarcely  an  evening  passed  that 
some  "man"  did  not  tell  her  confidentially :  "You  look  lovely 
to-night,  Miss  Cultus;"  and  when  upon  a  certain  full-dress 
occasion  she  sat  with  Mr.  Warder  on  the  stairway,  presumably 
with  none  but  the  old  stand-up  clock  to  listen,  the  first 
remark  she  heard  was,  "Oh,  I'm  so  glad.  Miss  Cultus,  we  can 
have  a  chat,  alone !"  "Alone !"  exclaimed  Adele.  "Why,  cer- 
tainly, alone  in  the  crowd," — and  as  she  drew  her  skirts  aside 
to  allow  four  other  couples  and  a  queue  of  waiters  to  pass,  her 
clear  responsive  laugh  appreciative  of  the  situation,  made  Mr. 
Warder  enjoy  the  public  seclusion  immensely. 

Evidently  there  was  a  personal  magnetism  about  Adele 
which  affected  all  more  or  less,  and  many  whose  own  character- 
istics were  totally  unlike  hers. 

At  a  glance  anyone  would  have  noticed  her  light  hair  flow- 
ing free,  yet  under  control,  tinged  with  sunlight,  the  sunlight 
of  youth;  hers  was  a  fair  complexion  like  her  mother's,  yet 
with  her  father's  lustrous  eyes.  She  was  a  blonde  with  dark 
eyes ;  once  seen,  a  picture  in  the  mind's  eye. 

Her  father's  facial  expression  played  over  her  countenance, 
manifesting  that  responsive  personal  interest  which  drew  many 
to  her.  Her  mother,  as  we  already  know,  could  express  that 
responsive  attitude  also,  and  exercise  the  personal  influence 
when  she  chose,  but  with  Adele  it  was  spontaneous,  perfectly 
natural,  and  her  smile  sincere,  ingenuous,  rather  than  ingeni- 
ous, one  of  the  most  precious  and  potent  gifts  a  woman  can 
possess. 

And  some  of  her  other  gifts  by  heredity  were  also  very 
evident,  but  modified.  Dame  Nature  had  been  exceedingly 
kind,  and  given  her  as  it  were  only  those  elements  which 
intensified  the  better  traits  of  the  previous  generations.  Her 
active  mind  reminded  one  of  her  father's  intellectual  ability 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTTJEY  IDEALIST  19 

in  science,  but  it  was  so  modified  by  her  mother's  more  com- 
prehensive susceptibility  and  impressionability  in  many  direc- 
tions, her  worldly  wisdom  and  promptness,  that  in  Adele  it 
took  a  different  turn  from  either  one  of  the  parents.  Her 
social  instincts  conld  not  be  suppressed,  but  fundamentally 
they  tended  towards  an  appreciation  and  insight  of  the  human- 
ities and  ethical  subjects  rather  than  the  material  interests 
one  might  look  for  in  the  granddaughter  of  Anthony  Gains, 
or  the  intellectual  abstractions  which  might  have  come  from 
the  Professor's  mode  of  thought. 

Before  graduating,  some  one  asked  her  what  she  proposed 
to  do  after  leaving  college,  for  all  felt  a  brilliant  career  was 
open.  Adele  was  rather  reserved  in  answering  this  question, 
and  generally  replied  that  there  was  so  much  which  ought  to 
be  done  in  the  world,  no  doubt  she  would  be  very  busy.  But 
to  her  mother  she  confided  on  one  occasion  her  innermost 
thought,  she  "would  like  to  work  in  the  slums."  This  so 
horrified  Mamma  that  Adele's  name  was  entered  upon  the 
fashionable  Assembly  list  for  the  coming  season  without 
delay,  as  an  antidote  in  case  of  emergency,  although  some- 
what premature  as  to  time. 

It  would  never  do  to  oppose  Adele.  She  was  already 
unaccustomed  to  that  sort  of  management,  and  would  assert 
herself  even  if  she  regretted  it  afterwards.  A  compromise  was 
in  order.  She  did  not  go  to  work  in  the  slums,  and  did  attend 
fashionable  functions  with  her  mother,  but  after  serious 
conversation  with  her  father  on  the  subject  of  the  practice  of 
medicine  by  women,  and  her  own  observations  of  the  constant 
demand  for  trained  nurses  who  would  not  upset  the  whole 
household,  she  concluded  to  look  into  that  matter  herself,  and 
volunteered  to  serve  in  the  hospital  during  war  times. 

"I  must  do  something  to  help  along ;  and  nobody  need  know, 
unless  I  choose."  It  was  while  thus  serving  that  the 
Doctor  and  Paul  had  first  met  her,  when  the  Doctor  was  a 
patient  after  his  bicycle  accident  in  a  miniature  cyclone.     It 


20  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

was  in  the  hospital  that  Doctor  Wise  had  first  read  her  hand, 
and  made  a  note  of  it  as  approaching  the  psychic  type  more 
clearly  than  any  other  he  had  then  met. 

From  the  Doctor's  point  of  view  Adele's  hand  was  indeed 
suggestive,  but  not  so  purely  psychical  as  to  intimate  mysticism 
to  excess.  It  was  rather  that  of  a  vivid  idealist  than  a  moody 
mystic, — too  much  intellectuality  in  the  upper  part,  as  well 
as  assertion  in  the  thumb  and  clearness  in  the  head-line,  not 
to  influence  and  modify  the  natural  tendency  and  scope  as 
shown  by  the  general  form.  It  was  not  the  hand  of  one  whose 
vague  aspirations  after  the  good  but  unattainable  would  lead 
to  extremes  either  in  the  activities  of  communism  or  socialistic 
vagaries,  nor  in  the  opposite  direction  towards  the  passive  life 
of  an  ascetic.  Either  one  would  have  soon  disgusted  Adele. 
It  was  the  hand  of  one  who  endeavored  to  be  logical,  and  did 
have  common  sense ;  yet  in  the  exuberance  of  feeling  sometimes 
yput  her  hero  upon  a  pedestal  only  to  find  the  pedestal  had  a 
,/  crack  in  it  and  the  hero  was  in  danger.  As  to  the  hero  himself, 
/  he  was  never  affected ;  she  remained  true  to  her  hero,  no  saw- 
dust in  him ;  but  she  certainly  did  put  him  quietly  aside  on 
the  shelf  when  she  found  herself  beyond  his  point  of  view. 
She  simply  put  him  on  the  shelf  to  "think  it  out  for  himself," 
as  she  had  done  for  herself, — and  in  consequence  had  more 
would-be  heroes  following  in  her  train,  striving  to  catch  up, 
than  is  generally  found  in  the  domain  of  hero  worship. 

Youth  has  its  sway.  Adele  was  most  delightfully  enthusi- 
astic at  times,  often  bent  upon  what  she  called  "having  a  good 
time."  Then  she  was  a  picture  worthy  of  Fortuny's  art  in  a 
sunny  Spanish  patio ;  but  in  quieter  moments  as  introspective 
as  one  of  Millais'  peasants ;  rather  over-confident  in  her  own  re- 
sources, having  really  not  met  as  yet  any  opposition  worthy  of 
the  name,  unless  perhaps  a  weak  patient  who  refused  to  take 
medicine.  Then  she  took  a  sip  herself,  and  told  him  "Now 
you've  got  to  take  it,"  and  he  did, — because  her  actions  spoke 
louder  even  than  her  words. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  21 

Her  father  had  several  times  told  her  to  read  the  world  as 
if  it  were  a  book,  and  she  had  heard  her  mother  refer  to 
certain  society  leaders  who  acted  a  part  that  did  not  suit  their 
own  style.  She  determined  to  know  and  read  all  passers-by, 
from  cooks  with  a  sauce-pan  to  princesses  with  a  crooked 
coronet,  including  Tom,  Dick  and  Harry  of  course;  and  she 
found  it  so  highly  interesting,  that  when  about  eighteen  she 
thought  she  might — yes — she  might,  in  time, — write  a  novel 
herself ;  in  fact  she  did  write  the  title  page,  and  the  chapter  on 
"Direful  Conflict,"  in  which  the  sauce-pan  and  coronet  almost 
came  to  blows.  Whether  to  make  that  chapter  the  beginning 
of  her  novel  or  the  ending,  proved  the  poser,  so  it  too  was 
put  upon  the  shelf  with  the  heroes. 

The  most  interesting  thing  to  people  is  people  themselves. 
Adele's  maternal  instincts  told  her  this  very  soon. 

Things  are  of  real  value  about  in  proportion  to  the  effort 
they  cost.  Her  instincts  from  her  father  suggested  this,  but 
she  did  not  believe  it  at  first.  It  might  be,  but  was  not  pleasant 
to  think  of.  She  knew  well  enough  that  all  that  glitters  is  not 
gold,  but  sometimes  thought  that  glitter  might  be  when  it 
wasn't.  When  she  found  herself  deceived  in  this  respect  her 
conclusions  took  a  pronoimced  feminine  form  of  expression. 
"Mother !  I  don't  think  so  very  much  of  Mr.  Upham  they  all 
talk  about.  He  tries  to  show  off — absurdly  condescending, 
and  talks  as  if  he  knew  more  about  it  than  anybody  else. 
Nobody  really  thinks  of  what  he  says,  only  of  him.  I  think 
him  a  bore." 

"Well,  don't  let  him  know  it,  my  dear,"  promptly  answered  j 
Mrs.  Cultus.  "One  has  to  become  accustomed  to  trifles.  I| 
generally  look  the  other  way  and  avoid  them." 

"I'm  not  going  through  the  world  on  stilts,  anyhow," 
laughed  Adele. 

"No,  my  dear,  I  trust  not,  nor  on  a  bicycle  either ;  neither 
is  becoming." 

Adele  watched  her  father  whenever  they  went  out  together. 


22  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

with  almost  precocious  interest.  She  wished  to  discover  how* 
he  made  himself  so  agreeable  to  others  and  finally  concluded 
that  "Father's  manners  are  perfection."  She  followed  her 
father's  advice  quite  as  naturally  as  she-  did  her  mother's, 
the  wisdom  of  which  often  appealed  to  her  also;  but  in  spite 
of  her  aflFection  for  both,  she  soon  began  tovperceive  there  was 
something  much  more  subtle  in  life  than  worldly  wisdom. 
Things  seen  were  by  no  means  so  potent  as  some  other  things 
unseen.  She  would  use  the  world,  but  not  let  it  use  her.  "I 
shall  soon  be  used  up  myself"  was  the  way  she  expressed  it 
after  having  had  rather  too  much  of  a  good  time. 

Without  actually  formulating  the  pros  and  cons  in  her  own 

mindy  she  really  decided  not  to  attempt  any  part  imless  she 

^  could  do  justice  to  it  under  the  stimulus  of  her  own  approval. 

Things  seen,  and  never  ignored,  were  already  becoming 
subservient  to  things  unseen. 

Such  was  Adele  as  a  girl,  and  during  the  few  years  when 
her  college  experience  was  prime  factor  in  her  life. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST         23 


IV 

ADELE  HEARS  THE  WORDS  OF  A  SONG 

THERE  was  just  enough  of  chilly  winter  left  to  make 
the  springtime  fascinating  and  a  wood  fire  still  accept- 
able in  the  cozy  library  where  Doctor  Wise  and  his 
younger  friend  Paul  Warder  sat  together  expecting  guests. 
They  occupied  bachelor  apartments  in  common.  A  delicious 
aroma  from  wood  logs  permeated  the  atmosphere. 

There  was  music  also,  for  the  eye  as  well  as  the  ear.  The 
firelight  played  in  crescendo  and  diminuendo,  with  now  and 
again  marked  rhythm  and  very  peculiar  accents.  The  sound 
of  wheels  reverberated  clearly  in  the  cool  night  air  and  ceased 
opposite  the  portal.  An  expectant  waiting,  but  no  response, 
no  frou-frou  from  silken  skirts  passing  along  the  hallway  as 
anticipated.  Instead,  Benson, — Benson  the  butler,  his  counte- 
nance a  foot  long. 

"Some  one,  sir !" 

"I  presume  so." 

"Some  one,  with  his — his  trunk." 

"His  trunk !"  The  Doctor  lowered  the  bridge  of  his  nose, 
and  peered  at  Benson  over  his  eyeglasses. 

"Yes,  sir !  a  big  one." 

"What's  that  for?  What  will  he  do  with  it?  What  will 
we  do  with  it  ?" 

"Show  him  up,  Benson,"  said  Paul,  promptly;  "trunk  and 
all." 

Paul's  eyes  twinkled  as  he  vanished  through  the  doorway. 


24  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"Never  heard  of  such  a  thing,"  mused  the  Doctor,  "bringing 
a  trunk  to  a  musicale.  Must  be  some  mistake !  Benson !  I 
say,  Benson !    Show  him  next  door." 

"Not  yet  I  hope,"  and  amid  shouts  of  laughter  in  rushed 
two  fellows, — Paul  bringing  Henri  Semple — "Harry" — of  all 
their  musical  friends  the  one  most  welcome  and  opportune. 

The  Doctor  was  delighted,  and  gave  him  a  good  squeeze — no 
time  for  much  else. 

"Benson !  put  Mr.  Semple's  trunk  in  his  own  room,  you 
know  the  one  I  mean ;  and  now,  Harry,  if  you  don't  get  inside 
that  trunk  quickly  as  possible  the  state  of  the  country  will  not 
be  safe,  an  invasion  is  threatened  at  any  minute.  Put  on  your 
regimentals  at  once,  and  help  us  out." 

Semple,  who  understood  the  Doctor's  lingo  from  many  years 
back,  took  in  the  situation  at  a  glance.  He  had  hardly  time 
to  laugh  about  the  Doctor's  being  "the  same  old  chappie  as 
ever,"  when  he  was  literally  thrust  towards  the  stairway,  to 
follow  the  trunk,  and  put  on  his  evening  clothes. 

The  episode  had  been  one  of  Paul's  agreeable  surprises  so 
often  had  in  store  for  the  Doctor. 

Semple's  name  had  appeared  upon  the  passenger  list  of  an 
ocean  flyer  just  arrived.  Paul  sought  him  by  telephone, 
caught  him,  and  insisted  upon  his  coming.  Semple,  already 
in  traveler's  shape,  had  '^lustled"  to  reach  his  old  friends. 
The  time  was  short,  but  Harry  in  true  American  fashion  had 
"got  there" — that  was  all,  with  the  regimentals  ready  to  be 
put  on. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  produce  the  bachelor's  visiting  list 
and  mark  off  all  those  who  honored  the  occasion  with  their 
presence.  Paul  always  made  it  a  point  to  have  plenty  of  men 
on  hand  at  his  entertainments ;  whether  at  chit-chat-musicale 
or  conversational  game  of  whist,  all  went  off  with  a  rush. 
Those  who  took  their  pleasure  more  seriously  were  furnished 
excellent  opportunity  in  the  library,  while  the  conversational 
music-racket  progressed  in  the  parlor. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST  25 

The  trio,  Doctor,  Paul  and  Semple,  were  already  standing 
in  line,  like  three  serenaders  in  white  waistcoats,  when  Mrs. 
Maxwell  was  ushered  in.  She  had  kindly  consented  to  act  as 
matron,  knowing  all  so  well;  in  fact  had  entertained  both 
Paul  and  Semple  at  her  picturesque  cottage,  "The  Kedge." 
Her  vivacious  presence  at  once  brought  with  it  a  breezy 
atmosphere  from  the  romantic  coast  of  Maine,  where  "The 
Kedge"  stood  perched  like  a  barnacle  upon  a  boulder,  and  the 
winds  wafted  white  spray  falling  like  a  lace  mantle  upon 
dahlias  and  nasturtiums  at  her  feet. 

And  with  her  Miss  Dorothy,  her  niece,  whose  charming 
letters  the  winter  previous  from  Ischl  had  given  vivid  pictures 
of  experience  abroad,  Vienna  life,  and  Egyptian  mysteries 
known  only  to  herself  and  the  Sphinx. 

A  dozen  or  more  soon  followed.  Conversation  already  at  its 
height  when  Professor  and  Mrs.  Cultus  entered,  also  their 
daughter  Adele  whom  the  Doctor  had  before  met  under  such 
peculiar  circumstances  at  the  hospital.  Adele  looked  radiant, 
having  brought  with  her  an  intimate  friend.  Miss  Winchester, 
for  whom  she  had  requested  an  invitation.  The  Doctor  greeted 
them  with  both  hands,  for  he  had  already  detected  the  devotion 
which  had  sprung  up  between  these  two  girls.  They  seemed 
a  host  in  themselves  wherever  they  went.  He  made  Miss 
Winchester  feel  at  home  at  once,  and  she  accepted  the  situation 
promptly;  she  had  the  happy  faculty  of  doing  that  sort  of 
thing.  The  Doctor  enjoyed  her  frankness.  She  was  like,  yet 
very  unlike  Adele;  no  doubt  much  in  common  between  them, 
yet  of  a  very  different  temperament.  The  inquisitive  Doctor 
perceived  this  at  a  glance.  "Must  read  her  hand,"  he  cogitated, 
for  his  interest  in  Adele  made  him  curious  to  know  more  of 
the  one  to  whom  Adele  seemed  especially  devoted. 

Others  dropped  in  later,  the  rooms  became  well  filled.  The 
guests  sought  easy  chairs,  Paul  taking  special  pains  to  see  that 
Mrs.  Cultus  was  comfortably  settled.  Mrs.  Cultus  in  turn  had 
made  up  her  mind  to  hear  Paul  sing  with  the  Doctor  as 


// 


26  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

accompanist.  She  had  heard  that  they  performed  "stimts," 
whatever  they  might  prove  to  be,  and  now  was  her  opportunity ; 
also,  she  wished  the  stimts  just  as  soon  as  possible.  "Keep  it 
up,"  said  Mrs.  Cultus,  sotto  voce. 

Of  course  Paul  could  not  refuse  point  blank,  but  he  must 
be  permitted  to  do  so  in  his  own  way,  for  none  knew  better 
than  he  and  the  Doctor  that  their  music  together  was  of  such 
a  peculiar  nature  that  unless  led  up  to  judiciously  the  effect 
would  be  utterly  ruined.  In  fact  there  was  nothing  in  it  but 
"the  spirit  of  the  thing,"  and  little  technique  whatever  except 
to  meet  the  demand  of  this  spirit  of  the  thing.  They  had 
never  had  either  time  or  inclination  to  cultivate  and  keep 
technique-on-tap, — a  thing  to  be  turned  on  and  off  like  a 
fountain  before  an  admiring  public.  Nevertheless,  the  little 
they  could  do  gave  a  deal  of  pleasure  to  those  not  already 
hypnotized  by  digital  gymnastics,  or  become  satiated  from 
eating  too  much  candy-music. 

Unfortunately,  Mrs.  Cultus'  ideas  about  leading  up  to  any- 
thing in  the  domain  of  music  had  been  originally  formed  upon 
her  experience  when  leading  in  the  german,  and  in  spite  of 
her  short  but  higher  experience  in  Germany,  her  natural  pro- 
pensities often  prevailed.  As  to  any  preparation  of  the  mind 
and  ear  for  the  reception  of  given  musical  sounds  and  kindred 
forms  of  artistic  and  poetic  expression,  she  was  lamentably 
wanting,  in  fact  her  tactics  often  little  better  than  a  box  of 
tacks  to  irritate  the  acuter  sensibilities  of  those  to  whom  she 
appealed  with  so  much  apparent  appreciation.  Mrs.  Cultus 
never  listened  for  the  tone-color,  simply  because  she  could  not 
constitutionally;  she  really  could  not,  it  was  not  in  her  to 
hear  what  she  could  hear. 

The  music  commenced,  and  Mrs.  Cultus  waited  for  the 
stunts.  Henri  Semple  opened  with  some  of  Brahams'  Hun- 
garian Dances,  charmingly  vivacious  and  contagious,  also 
played  in  some  duets  with  the  Doctor  on  Creole  and  Florida 
negro  themes.    Racial  and  national  dance  music  seemed  not 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUKY  IDEALIST         27 

a  bad  overture  to  harmonize  with  the  gay  spirits  already  in 
vogue,  yet  lead  on  to  something  else.  Herr  Krantz  then 
favored  the  company  with  some  German  songs ;  he  appreciated-^ 
the  value  of  continuity,  yet  did  not  ignore  the  power  of  con--'"^^ 
trast.  Herr  Krantz  was  an  artist;  his  first  song  in  rather 
quick  tempo  with  a  dramatic  climax,  his  second  full  of  sup- 
pressed emotion ;  each  most  artistic  in  effect.  All  enjoyed  his 
robust  tenor  voice,  also  his  admirable  interpretation  of  the 
sentiment  of  what  he  sang.  Mrs.  Cultus  and  the  Doctor  led  in 
the  applause ;  Mrs.  Cultus  because  she  detected  that  the  whole 
thing  was  as  it  ought  to  be,  especially  the  dramatic  climax 
of  the  first  song,  and  the  tears  suggested  when  the  second  song 
died  away.  Mrs.  Cultus  was  much  given  to  applauding  M^hen 
songs  died  away  in  tears,  she  wished  the  singer  to  understand 
that  he  died  with  good  effect.  The  Doctor  admired  all  artistic 
productions  and  renditions  of  any  kind ;  even  a  good  perform- 
ance on  a  jew's-harp  or  a  xylophone  was  appreciated  by  him 
from  the  standpoint  of  art  as  art.  If  it  did  not  manifest  the 
sacred  fire  of  the  soul  above  all  else,  it  was  to  be  enjoyed  and 
applauded  nevertheless,  as  truth  for  its  own  sake,  if  not  the 
highest  form  of  truth  through  musical  expression.  He  had 
heard  mocking-birds  sing  like  nightingales,  yet  they  were  not 
the  veritable  rossignole ;  he  had  long  since  learned  that  perfect ' 
technique  was  not  the  only  way  of  expression,  since  the  sacred 
fire  burst  through  all  bounds  and  made  terrible  mistakes 
(technical),  yet  was  truth  enduring,  truth  soaring  towards 
immortality  and  enduring  as  memory  endures. 

Paul  in  the  meantime  had  induced  Miss  Winchester  to 
follow  Herr  Krantz;  and  since  his  German  artistic  rendition 
had  excited  her  imagination,  her  fingers  fairly  twitched  with 
desire  to  respond,  ready  to  the  interpretation  of  what  she  felt. 
She  knew  she  could  play  well  because  in  the  mood,  delicious 
sensation. 

Miss  Winchester's  talent  for  melodic  expression  was  decid- 
edly of  the  romantic  school.    Her  idol  was  Schumann,  and  at 


28  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

times  Tschaikowsky,  but  never  when  in  their  morbid  humor, 
then  she  shut  up  their  compositions  and  left  them  to  be 
morbid  alone,  not  with  her.  Fact  is,  Miss  Winchester's  versa- 
tility and  intellectual  vivacious  activity  were  so  pronounced 
that  she  could  render  many  original  or  rare  wild  fanciful 
^'morceanx/'  provided  they  were  vivacious  and  embodied  with 
personal  experience,  or  what  one  might  call  the  racial  or 
national  rhythm  of  those  people  who  did  sing  and  dance 
naturally.  She  and  her  brother  were  both  extremely  gifted  in 
this  respect,  and  to  hear  them  play  together  was  not  unlike 
attempting  to  enjoy  two  glasses  of  champagne  at  the  same 
time. 

Miss  Winchester  was  soon  leading  the  whole  company 
through  some  Mexican  danzas  with  a  spontaneous  abandon 
perfectly  delightfid;  then  some  half-Spanish  or  old-time 
Creole  reminiscences,  very  dansante  in  their  time  and  place, 
and  yet  with  a  peculiar  strain  of  languor  which  pictured  the 
sunny  southern  clime  in  one  of  its  most  characteristic  moods. 
Also  one  of  her  brother's  waltzes  which  quite  lifted  the  hearer 
.off  his  feet,  very  difficult  to  interpret  as  she  did;  simply 
[because  not  being  a  singing  waltz,  neither  of  the  kind  that 
draws  the  feet  downwards  towards  the  floor  in  tempo  strict 
and  strong,  but  quite  the  contrary  lifts  the  dancer  up,  carries 
him  beyond,  without  fatigue,  borne  upon  the  wings  of  time 
into  the  realm  of  graceful  motion. 

Mrs.  Cultus  could  not  quite  make  out  whether  this  strange 
rhapsodical  style  of  waltzing  was  quite  up  to  the  standard  of 
the  occasion.  It  certainly  was  rather  effective,  but  not  as  she 
ever  remembered  hearing  it  in  the  german.  "  'Twas  impossible 
to  count  two  or  three  to  such  a  thing  as  that  and  keep  up  with 
it;"  therefore  suspicious.  So  the  politic  Mrs.  Cultus  hid 
behind  her  jewelled  lorgnette,  looking  alternately  at  the  per- 
former and  the  audience  before  making  up  her  mind. 

The  susceptible  Doctor  was  quite  fascinated,  translated,  as 
he  entered  into  the  spirit  of  the  thing.    He  thought  of  scenes 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST         29 

in  Delibes'  ballets,  of  Sylvia  and  Coppelia,  also  of  the  won- 
derful grace  of  Beaugrand  upon  Walpurgis  night  when  she 
first  appears  enveloped  by  a  cloud  descending  upon  the  stage, 
the  cloud  disappearing,  the  dancer  wafted  forward  to  whirl 
amid  a  maze  of  fascinating  melody. 

Adele  and  Paul  also  could  not  resist  the  temptation  to  "try 
it  in  the  hall,"  but  soon  gave  that  up:  Adele  expecting'to  sing 
herself,  therefore  careful  of  her  voice,  and  Paul  because  the 
fascination  was  quite  sufficient  without  the  dancing  just  then. 
They  were  again  caught  sitting  on  the  stairs  under  the  benign 
countenance  of  "Fanny,"  the  old  family  clock,  who  ticked  on 
solemnly  as  if  accustomed  to  witness  waltzing  and  flirtations, 
in  past  times  as  well  as  to-night, — this  when  the  Doctor  put 
in  an  appearance  to  ask  Adele  to  sing. 

Adele  was  an  enchanting  personification  of  youthful  enjoy- 
ment when  Paul  led  her  into  the  room,  her  dark  eyes  lustrous 
and  full  of  fire,  yet  but  little  conscious  of  self  when  she  at 
once  dropped  Paul's  arm  to  rush  up  to  Miss  Winchester  and 
thank  her  for  the  treat  she  had  given  them.  "I  never  heard 
you  play  better  in  my  life,  my  dear !  Oh,  how  I  wish  I  could 
do  it !"  and  then,  feeling  her  own  position,  became  more  sub- 
dued in  manner  as  she  approached  the  piano.  Henri  Semple 
had  kindly  offered  to  accompany  her — they  had  often  sung 
together  as  she  called  it,  so  felt  in  unity  at  once.  Only  a  word 
was  necessary  to  Henri,  "Please  go  straight  on,  if  I  should  trip 
I'll  catch  up  again."  Henri  smiled  and  began  the  introduction. 

Adele  first  sang  a  rather  pretentious  florid  aria.  Her 
mother  had  insisted  upon  this,  evidently  thinking  that  all 
should  be  informed  at  once  that  her  daughter  had  been 
educated  under  the  best  masters,  as  she  herself  had  been  under 
Fraulein  Ritter.  Adele  complied  with  her  mother's  request, 
even  if  she  herself  had  different  notions  as  to  the  result.  Mrs. 
Cultus  had  "dropped  her  music"  soon  after  the  bills  had  been 
paid  for  her  education,  and  never  picked  it  up  again  except  in 
nursery  rhymes  for  Adele.    Those  nursery  songs  had  won  their 


30  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

way  to  Adele's  heart,  she  sometimes  sang  them  yet,  but  their 
greatest  triumph  had  been  to  excite  within  her  a  desire  to 
really  sing  herself.  She  now  proposed  to  hold  on  and  not  drop 
what  she  had  striven  for,  to  make  her  voice  the  means  towards 
expression  of  higher  things,  feelings  which  words  could  not 
always  express.  As  to  the  florid  aria  to  commence  with,  "Oh, 
yes !  it  would  do  to  try  the  voice  and  bring  out  the  notes,  but 
the  real  thing  must  not  be  expected  until  later." 

Her  innermost  thoughts  were  quite  in  this  vein  when  enthu- 
siastic applause  greeted  her  singing.  She  had  sung  well.  Herr 
Krantz  complimented  her,  evidently  sincere,  so  she  took  his 
appreciation  sincerely,  but  soon  turned  to  Mr.  Semple  to  select 
something  more  to  her  own  taste.  She  chose  a  composition 
with  which  she  was  very  familiar,  one  of  her  special  favorites, 
and  passed  it  to  Henri. 

Semple  glanced  it  over,  and  being  himself  of  kindred  spirit 
with  her  own  at  once  detected  certain  signs, — how  it  had  been 
well  used  but  carefully  handled,  certain  passag.es  marked,  some 
private  marks,  evidently  her  own. 

"Miss  Cultus,  don't  you  play  this  accompaniment  yourself  ?" 

"Oh,  yes!" 

"I  thought  so — let  me  resign !" 

"Don't  you  know  it?— it's  not  difficult." 

"So  I  see,  but  I'm  sure  none  could  play  it  exactly  as  you 
would  feel  it." 

Adelc  knew  this  to  be  true;  no  one  could  really  accompany 
the  songs  she  really  loved  so  completely  to  her  own  satisfaction 
as  herself,  that  was  the  way  she  had  learned  to  love  them. 

"You  won't  be  offended  if  I  do  ?" 

Semple  responded  at  once  and  stood  beside  her,  but  he  felt 
intensely  curious  to  know  exactly  why,  since  she  was  so  different 
from  man}^  she  desired  to  do  so  with  this  particular  piece, — 
the  accompaniment  did  not  appear  to  be  especially  exacting,  so 
he  asked  her  about  the  peculiarities  of  the  composition. 

"I  like  to  be  near  the  composer,  near  as  I  can/'  was  all  she 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST         31 

said  in  reply,  and  without  further  ado  seated  herself  at  the 
instrument. 

Some  noticing  her  movement  were  disappointed,   others 
delighted ;  the  latter  were  those  who  loved  music  which  came  — 
from  the  heart, — the  former  those  who  admired  what  came  — • 
from  the  head. 

The  Doctor  asked  her  father  if  she  preferred  to  accompany 
herself.    "Only  at  times,'"'  said  the  Professor,  and  he  appeared 
rather  serious  himself  when  he  observed  the  mood  she  was  in. 
It  would  probably  be  Adele  at  her  best,  but  by  no  means  likely 
to  command  the  most  general  appreciation.     Then  he  told  the 
Doctor :    "She  knows  that  head  and  heart  must  work  together  ■ ' 
as  one  if  any  true  emotion  is  to  come  with  the  music,  and  she 
thinks  this  is  such  a  subtle  matter  in  her  own  case  that  she  ' 
must  become  as  near  like  the  composer  himself  as  she  possibly 
can  to  render  the  music  as  he  originally  conceived  and  felt  it. 
She  insists  that  every  good  song  is  fundamentally  emotional, 
the  spirit  dominating  the  art.    To  get  close  to  this  spirit  in  the  !  /^ 
piece,  to  become  the  composer  and  try  to  re-create  the  piece,  is  i  ''^ 
what  she  is  after.    One  soul  and  mind,  the  voice  soul  and  the  i  y 
artistic  accompaniment;  both  had  come  originally  from  one  V 
creative  source,  the  composer,  whose  whole  being  must  have  '' 
throbbed  with  one  emotion  when  he  wrote  the  piece  if  worth 
anything.  Those  who  would  really  feel  the  same  emotion  must 
try  to  be  like  him  and  follow  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth.     She  -j^ 
wishes  to  reproduce  the  intimate  sympathetic  blending  of  voice 
and  accompaniment  which  the  composer  had  felt  when  he 
wrote  the  song." 

"How  intensely  she  must  feel !"  said  the  Doctor,  pensive, 
and  turned  to  listen,  giving  attention  to  the  singer  to  recognize 
her  personality  as  creator  for  the  time  being  of  the  song, — the 
singer  giving  new  life,  a  renaissance  or  resurrection  to  the 
song. 

What  Adele  sang  was  a  melody  by  Gounod  with  simple 
chords  in  the  accompaniment,  the  piano  filling  in  like  a  second 


>- 


32  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

voice  when  her  own  was  not  prominent.  The  second  voice 
sang  with  her,  that  is,  to  her  and  for  her,  and  the  two  blended 
as  one,  a  veritable  duet  of  heart  and  head  as  one.  The  piano 
gave  the  atmosphere  in  which  the  melody  lived,  moved  and 
had  its  being,  and  the  melody  itself  was  the  voice  of  a  living 
soul  singing  in  truth  and  purity. 


^  To  sing  it  as  she  did  required  intense  mental  effort,  herself 
/  divine  in  origin.     Art  dominated  by  the  Spirit  of  Truth  that 


^iinder  admirable  control; — the  dominating  emotional  spirit 
Xovithin.     It  was  the  divine  art,  the  purity  in  the  art,  hence 


is  Holy,  in  Music.  Music  as  Truth,  for  a  religious  fervor 
lay  deep  within  the  song.  It  was  the  overflow  of  her  own 
feelings  which  others  heard  and  felt,  yet  she  sang  as  if  no  one 
was  present, — none, — herself  alone, — Adele  an  Idyl.  As  she 
continued,  the  melody  seemed  to  gain  in  spiritual  significance, 
so  pure,  so  true,  so  simply  lovely,  the  good,  true  and  beauti- 
ful, as  one,  a  trinity  of  inner  experience,  and  thus  possessing 
a  high  spiritual  significance.  All  who  heard,  associated  with 
her  voice  their  own  best  thoughts.  They  "became  one"  with 
her, — and  while  she  thus  led  them  towards  higher  and  better 
things,  the  melody  soared  upon  the  wings  of  a  dove,  rising  as 
if  nearing  the  celestial  choir.  It  did  not  diminish,  grow  less, 
nor  die  away,  but  passed  from  hearing;  it  was  heard,  and 
then  it  was  not  heard,  gone — gone  to  live  among  the  melodies 
of  immortality,  for  the  truth  in  her  music  had  made  it  an 
immortal  song — none  could  ever  forget,  neither  her,  her  song, 
nor  how  she  sang  it. 

"How  angelic !"  whispered  those  who  heard  her. 

*'She  is  an  angel,"  said  her  mother,  who  knew  her  best. 

The  Doctor  mused;  he  was  still  thinking  some  time  after 
the  song  ceased.  There  was  to  him  a  feeling  of  both  ex- 
haustion and  exaltation, — the  human  and  the  divine  in  his 
own  personality. 

As  to  Paul, — the  emotion  was  rather  strong  for  him,  rather 
too  much  Just  then,  the  complications  of  feeling  decidedly 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST         33 

confusing,  especially  as  he  would  be  called  upon  to  sing  next. 
He  felt  perfectly  limp,  "What  on  earth  can  I  do,  after  an 
angel  has  carried  the  whole  crowd  into  the  upper  regions !" 

The  suppressed  applause  which  followed  Adele's  sacred 
song  had  hardly  ceased,  the  hum  of  appreciation  still  heard, 
and  Adele  herself  about  to  ask  Henri  Semple  for  the  bouquet 
of  American  Beauties  which  he  held  for  her,  when  she  caught 
the  eye  of  Paul  and  gave  him  a  slight  inclination  of  the  head 
to  approach, 

Paul  had  been  asked  to  sing  next.  She  knew  it, — she  also 
knew  the  style  of  his  music,  that  it  could  not  possibly  sound 
to  advantage  immediately  after  her  own  success.  She  also 
knew  Paul's  sensibility,  yet  desire  to  oblige.  In  the  kindness 
of  her  heart,  now  so  sensitive  from  the  holy  spirit  in  music 
which  had  prompted  her  singing,  she  wished  in  some  way  to 
aid  Paul  to  bridge  over  the  dilemma  into  which  her  mother's 
lack  of  appreciation  of  the  personal  element  in  music  threat- 
ened to  lead  him,  for  it  was  Mrs.  Cultus  who  had  insisted 
upon  his  singing  as  soon  as  Adele  finished. 

May  it  not  also  be  said  that  Adele  herself  was  about  to 
take  another  step  forward  in  her  musical  career?  namely,  by 
a  very  practical  appreciation  of  the  vast  domain  of  melodic 
expression, — in  other  words  the  comprehensiveness  of  "the 
art  of  putting  things"  and  the  wonderful  difference  in  meth- 
ods and  means  by  which  spiritual  effects  may  be  produced. 
She  knew  that  Paul's  voice  did  appeal  to  mankind,  at  least 
to  some,  quite  as  positively  as  her  own ;  he  also  was  sensitive 
about  it,  but  his  emotional  feeling  was  so  different  from  her 
own.  She  wished  to  be  altruistic,  and  assure  Paul  fair  treat- 
ment. 

Paul  joined  her.     "I  never  heard  you  sing  better." 

"I'm  glad  you  were  here, — I  felt  like  it, — Gounod  is  a  great 
friend  of  mine." 

"I  wish  I  had  a  friend  on.  hand." 

"How  so?" 


34  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"To  sing  for  me,  my  voice  is  scared  to  death." 

"It  doesn't  sound  that  way,  but  I  know  what  you  mean." 

"  Ton  honor ! — the  crudity  of  it !  and  then  to  be  asked  to 

/sing  after  you." 

/^  .-  "Never  mind  that,  think  of  the  music,  and  forget  yourself." 

^  ^"What !  forget  the  music  and  think  of  myself !"     He  had 

/-liardly  uttered  the  thought  upside  down  before  it  seemed  to 

suggest  something  to  him.     He  said  nothing,  however,  for  a 

moment,  and  then  seemed  to  brace  up,  and  began  talking 

about  other  things,  until  Mrs.  Cultus  approached. 

Adele  knew,  or  rather  thought  she  knew,  that  if  her  mother 
pressed  him  too  hard  in  his  present  mood  she  might  receive  a 
refusal  in  return,  a  polite  apology  for  not  singing.  Much  to 
her  surprise,  Paul  consented  with  considerable  cordiality,  say- 
ing he  would  do  his  best  gladly;  but  there  was  a  twinkle  in 
his  eye  which  he  could  not  disguise  as  he  said  it.  Adele  won- 
dered what  the  twinkle  meant.  Mamma  felt  sure  he  would 
do  "stunts." 

What  had  influenced  Paul  so  suddenly  ?  The  twisted  words 
giving  a  new  association  of  ideas  had  suggested  yet  another 
motive  for  singing.  "Forget  the  music,  and  think  of  you, 
Adele."  He  had  thought  of  a  songlet  which  did  just  that  sort 
of  thing — he  would  try  it. 

Why  had  Adele  failed  to  appreciate  the  twinkle?  Simply 
because  she  did  not  then  know  him  well  enough  to  recognize 
•^  one  of  the  strongest  elements  in  his  character,  namely,  a  cer- 
^  tain  sure  reserve  power  which  men  of  his  type  are  apt  to 
possess,  and  manifest  in  positions  of  this  sort  with  marked 
individuality  in  form  of  expression.  Paul  was  just  such  a 
man. 

With  him  it  had  been  Adele's  first  song,  the  florid  aria  to 
show  off  her  voice,  which  had  made  the  passing  impression, 
not  the  second ;  in  fact,  the  train  of  thought  first  excited  had 
continued  on  through  Adele's  second  song,  blinding  him  to  a 
certain  extent, — so  that  although  he  did  hear  the  beautiful 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  35 

finale  when  her  voice  passed  from  hearing,  he  was  preoccu- 
pied ;  he  heard  it  only  as  another  instance  of  her  highly  cv\- 
tivated  technique,  nothing  more.  Its  real  spiritual  signifi- 
cance had  been  lost  upon  him  because  his  mind  was  preoccu- 
pied in  another  direction.  Having  ears  he  had  not  heard, 
yet  being  what  he  was,  he  had ;  consequently  his  impressions 
of  her  performance  were  complicated.  He  had  appreciated 
her  cultivated  voice  as  fully,  probably,  as  any  in  the  room, 
but  also  remembered  how  at  the  hospital  some  time  before 
she  had  sung  much  less  ambitious  music  which  excited  even 
greater  sympathy,  bringing  tears  rather  than  applause.  He 
did  not  wish  Adele  to  lose  her  charm  in  that  respect,  and  now, 
in  his  present  frame  of  mind,  feared  lest  she  might  do  so. 
In  fact,  being  somewhat  askew  in  his  own  mind,  yet  rather 
sensitive  about  her,  he  jumped  to  the  conclusion  that  she 
might  give  up  the  old  simplicity  of  real  power  in  order  to 
electrify  society  by  flights  of  vocalization.  Thus  the  spirit- 
uality of  a  sincere,  practical  man  did  not  differ  fundamentally 
from  that  of  another  with  greater  aesthetic  and  artistic  devel- 
opment, but  the  manifestation  of  it  took  an  entirely  different 
form. 

Evidently  Paul  was  quite  as  much  interested  in  Adele's 
success  as  she  was  in  his, — but  how  different  the  motive  and 
varied  the  form  of  expressing  the  emotion.''  Paul  determined 
to  give  her  some  sort  of  a  hint  as  to  how  he  felt,  and  in  a  way 
she  alone  would  recognize.  If  he  had  been  older,  no  doubt 
he  would  have  told  her  so  direct,  but  youth  is  fonder  of  play-' 
ing  games  in  which  self-reliance  takes  a  prominent  part.  He 
made  up  his  mind  to  sing  anyhow,  and  quick  as  a  flash  the 
thought  had  come  to  him,  "her  effect  was  through  the  music, 
not  the  words,  why  not  forget  the  music  and  think  of  the 
words? — try  it  with  a  style  and  with  a  purpose  so  different 
from  hers  that  no  comparison  can  possibly  be  in  order  ?"  He 
would  force  attention  to  the  words  rather  than  the  music,  and 
compel  the  audience  to  listen  for  the  sake  of  the  words.     As 


36  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

to  sentiment!  His  eyes  twinkled  as  he  thought  of  it;  the 
audience  could  interpret  that,  each  after  his  own  fashion, — 
as  for  him,  he  would  forget  the  music  and  think  of  Adele. 

Paul  went  to  the  piano,  telling  Adele  not  to  listen,  as  it 
was  only  some  verses  from  "Life"  which  the  Doctor  had  set  to 
music.  This  was  quite  enough  to  excite  Adele's  curiosity,  and 
made  her  more  attentive  even  than  the  others. 

Paul's  voice  was  a  rich  baritone  with  but  little  cultivation, 
and  fresh  as  nature  had  given  it  to  him,  with  some  few  rich 
masculine  notes  as  soft  as  velvet.  When  he  felt  intensely,  yet 
kept  himself  under  control,  and  the  song  brought  into  play 
those  particular  notes,  Paul  could  make  even  a  society  re- 
porter listen  with  sincerity.  His  articulation  being  clear)  the 
listeners  heard  the  words  without  effort,  and  the  music  became 
a  harmonious  medium  of  communication. 

Much  to  his  satisfaction  he  felt  this  mood  coming  over  him. 
The  Doctor,  too,  knew  by  his  manner  that  Paul  would  be  at 
his  best,  so  played  the  accompaniment  to  sustain  the  voice, 
yet  allow  expression  absolutely  free  with  Paul, — a  condition 
of  things  only  possible  to  those  who  have  personal  sympathy 
as  well  as  melodic  instinct. 

Each  line  of  the  song  told  its  own  tale ; — the  sentiment,  not 
the  cultivation  of  the  voice  nor  accompaniment,  attracted  at- 
tention;— a  few  gestures  gave  the  proper  emphasis. 

"She  is  so  fair, 
And  yet  to  me 
She  is  unfair 
As  she  can  be. 

"Were  she  less  fair, 
I  should  be  free; 
Or  less  unfair, 
Her  slave  I'd  be. 

"Fair,  or  unfair — 
Ah!  woe  is  me; 
So  ill  I  fare- 
Farewell  to  thee!" 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  37 

The  effect  was  peculiar.  Some  caught  what  they  thought 
were  puns  in  the  words,  and  called  for  a  repetition  to  catch 
them  better;  others  said  the  fellow  was  a  fool  to  give  up  the 
girl  so  soon, — she  was  not  really  so  unfair  as  she  appeared  to 
him.     Society  amused  itself  hugely  over  the  absurd  situation. 

Adele  turned  to  the  Doctor.     "I  don't  care  for  that  song." 

"No!     Why?" 

"The  girl  was  misunderstood." 

"How  strange !  I  didn't  see  it  that  way  at  all/'  said  the 
Doctor. 

"What  did  you  see?" 

"The  young  lady  did  not  appreciate  her  admirer." 

'^hat  is  it  called?"  asked  Adele. 

"A  Paradox." 

Paul  overheard  them  and  noticed  an  introspective  expres- 
sion on  Adele's  countenance.  Was  she  trying  to  recall  the 
words?  He  would  make  sure  of  them,  so  in  response  to  the 
encore  repeated  after  this  fashion: 

"Thou  art  so  fair,  and  yet  to  me 
Thou  art  unfair  as  thou  canst  be. 

"Wert  thou  less  fair,  I  should  be  free; 
Or  less  unfair,  thy  slave  I'd  be. 

"Fair,  or  unfair — Ah!  woe  is  me; 
So  ill  I  fare, — farewell  to  thee." 

And  as  he  sang,  the  peculiar  twinkle  in  his  eyes  again 
appeared.  To  the  hearers  it  seemed  very  appropriate  to  the 
song,  part  of  the  spirit  of  the  thing.  Paul  was  more  inter- 
ested as  to  how  it  would  affect  Adele. 

Adele  was  more  confused  than  ever.  Did  he,  or  did  he  not, 
intend  anything?  She  hardly  knew  how  she  ought  to  ad- 
dress him  the  next  minute.  It  would  be  foolish  to  lay  any 
stress  upon  such  a  song,  merely  a  play  upon  words  at  best; 
yet  her  womanly  instinct  told  her  it  might  mean  a  great 


38  A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST 

deal.  She  had  no  time,  however,  to  think  much  about  it, 
and  did  not  care  much  anyhow,  so  tried  to  put  the  matter 
quite  aside. 

"What  absurd  words ! — not  so  bad  cither  .  .  .  but  he 
certainly  made  them  tell,"  and  she  looked  around  the  room  as 
if  to  notice  what  others  thought. 

People  were  still  discussing  the  Paradox. 

"The  impression  seems  to  last,"  said  she. 

The  Doctor  caught  her  final  word. 

"What  lasts,  Miss  Adele?" 

A  twinkle  in  her  eye  this  time. 

"Paul's  song, — wasn't  it  amusing  ?"  and  they  both  laughed 
heartily. 

"The  supper  is  served,"  whispered  a  waiter  to  the  Doctor, 
and  shortly  after  Adele  was  seen  entering  the  supper-room  on 
the  Doctor's  arm.     Paul  escorted  Miss  Winchester. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  39 


AFTER  DARK  IN  THE  PARK 

AFTER  the  guests  had  departed  the  Doctor  decided  he 
would  fill  his  lungs  with  fresh  air  by  a  short  stroll 
in  the  park  before  retiring.  Thus  to  saunter  was  a 
favorite  experience  with  him  after  an  evening  spent  in  close 
quarters.  He  could  be  alone,  yet  not  alone, — in  the  world, 
yet  not  of  it. 

"These  breathing  places  are  delicious,"  he  mused,  "good  for 
all,  day  or  night ;  to  the  poor  a  blessed  change  from  close  and 
narrow  homes,  and  to  the  wealthy  if  they  only  knew  it,  from 
their  over-heated  rooms.  Fresh  air  in  the  lungs  and  a  good 
quaff  of  pure  water  are  the  most  healthy  somnorifics  I  know. 
Thank  Heaven,  this  park  furnishes  such  luxuries  to  all."  This 
as  he  took  a  seat  near  a  fountain  which  overflowed  conveni- 
ently for  the  thirsty  wayfarer. 

The  trees  overhead  were  coming  into  new  leaf,  and  the 
grass  plots  newly  trimmed, — the  resurrection  of  spring  evi- 
dently near  at  hand.  Arc  lights  from  a  distance  shone 
through,  giving  a  silvery  lustre  to  the  undersides  of  the  new 
foliage,  and  a  radiant  glow  which  permeated  the  long  vista. 

He  looked  above  into  the  azure, — it  was  a  starlit  night ;  also 
towards  the  horizon,  down  one  of  the  wide  avenues  which  in- 
tersected at  the  park.  Upon  a  public  building  in  the  distance 
some  statuary  above  the  cornice  stood  distinct  in  outline 
against  the  sky,  but  from  time  to  time  the  figures  were  ob- 
scured by  clouds  of  smoke  or  steam  enveloping  as  in  a 
luminous  mist.  The  figures  came  and  went  as  if  they  them- 
selves were  endowed  with  movement.     He  watched  the  smoke- 


40  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

mist,  tracing  to  its  source, — a  press  establishment, — the  news- 
paper workers  busy  while  the  public  slept.  He  hoped  that 
to-morrow's  issue  might  bring  news  of  something  better  than 
the  smoke  of  war,  mists  of  politics,  and  the  vile  conflicts  of 
the  debased  side  of  humanity.  'Why  not  accentuate  the  good 
in  the  world  instead  of  the  evil  ?  Such  would  be  the  way  of 
truth  in  life,  to  overcome  the  evil  with  the  good.  But  he 
did  not  feel  very  sanguine  that  to-morrow's  issue  would  be  of 
that  sort, — certainly  not  so  long  as  the  use  and  abuse  of 
head-lines  purposely  to  mislead  the  public  for  the  sake  of 
cash  obtained. 

He  then  looked  more  carefully  at  the  fountain.  It  was  a 
gift  to  the  city  from  a  dear  friend  of  both  himself  and  Paul, 
their  old  friend  John  Burlington,  whose  philanthropy  took 
many  practical  forms  for  the  benefit  of  the  public.  He  skirted 
the  park  on  his  way  out,  and  noticed  a  barber  shop  across  the 
street  in  which  a  few  days  previous  he  had  been  shaved. 
Why  that  particular  shop?  Because  therein  he  had  been 
shaved  by  a  young  woman,  of  whom  in  justice  it  must  be  said 
she  did  it  remarkably  well.  ^'Woman's  sphere  is  rapidly  in- 
creasing," he  mused,  "but  in  such  matters,  at  what  a  terrible 
\  risk  and  sacrifice  of  womanly  reserve;  a  gain  in  wages  and 
publicity,  a  loss  of  refinement  and  the  other  feminine  at- 
tributes. Is  not  woman's  head-gear  sufficiently  complicated 
already  to  furnish  employment  to  experts  of  her  own  sex 
without  attempting  to  scrape  a  man's  chin?  Certainly  the 
latter  was  a  risky  business  for  a  woman  to  attempt  on  short 
notice." 

There  was  a  hotel  on  the  corner.  He  stopped  to  purchase 
a  cigar,  but  it  was  too  late.  Too  late  for  that,  but  not  too 
late  for  others  passing  in  and  out.  A  couple  passed  through 
an  inconspicuous  entrance  with  a  peculiar  dim  lantern  in  the 
vestibule  near  by,  and  soon  disappeared.  They  appeared  to 
be  sneaking  in,  yet  perfectly  familiar  with  the  premises. 

A  gay  crowd  of  young  people  on  bicycles  passed  by;  it 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  41 

seemed  unusually  late  to  see  so  many  out.  As  they  wheeled  off, 
talking  in  high  spirits,  there  was  naught,  however,  to  distin- 
guish them  from  a  party  of  industrious  young  workers  who 
had  been  kept  indoors  during  the  day,  and  whose  youth  de- 
manded outdoor  exercise,  even  if  it  had  to  he  taken  after  dark. 

"Where  are  their  parents?  still  snoozing?"  queried  the 
Doctor, — "a  ride  after  midnight  may  lead  to  a  'skip  by  the 
light  of  the  moon/  but  that's  none  of  my  business,"  and  the 
bachelor  doctor  wended  his  way  back  towards  his  own  domicile. 

He  was  just  about  to  enter  when  he  spied  a  slight,  agile 
figure,  an  elderly  lady  dressed  in  black,  approaching  and 
motioning  to  detain  him.  He  could  not  mistake  that  light 
airy  step,  the  nervous  activity,  the  characteristic  gestures. 
It  must  surely  be  she  whose  activity  in  good  works  he  had 
known  so  long  and  well,  yet  he  little  expected  to  see  her  alone 
in  the  public  street  at  that  hour. 

He  ran  down  to  meet  her,  took  her  arm  under  his  and 
begged  her  to  come  in. 

"I  can't,  my  dear,  positively  I  can't,"  in  a  voice  sweet  and 
cheerful,  as  if  she  wished  it  but  was  too  busy. 

"Well,  let  me  escort  you  home,  then,"  insisted  the  Doctor. 

"No,  my  dear,  not  necessary  at  all,  not  a  bit.  I  never  have 
any  difficulty  at  night.  I  wouldn't  take  you  on  any  account. 
I've  been  to  the "  and  she  hesitated. 

"Well,  what  can  I  do  for  you,  Aunt  Mary?" 

She  smiled  as  if  the  name  was  most  welcome, — patted  the 
Doctor  on  the  back,  called  him  one  of  "her  boys,"  and  stopped 
a  minute  to  chat. 

But  who  was  Aunt  Mary? 

One  of  those  excellent,  self-sacrificing  Christian  women, 
loving  and  lovable,  whose  whole  life  was  devoted  to  helping 
and  encouraging  those  in  distress.  Her  vocation  especially 
among  the  worthy  poor,  where  her  heart  was  ever  willing,  and 
her  activity  constant  in  their  behalf;  striving  to  bring  hope 
and  efficient  aid  to  those  who  were  struggling  against  ad- 


42  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

versity,  kindness  where  it  was  most  needed,  affection  where  it 
was  seldom  met.  Among  many  friends  she  had  a  small  co- 
terie of  gentlemen  whom  she  called  her  boys.  To  these  she 
appealed  in  emergencies,  and  was  sure  to  receive  without  fur- 
ther inquiry,  simply  because  "Aunt  Mary  wanted  it."  As 
sometimes  the  case  with  Christian  women  of  her  active,  sym- 
pathetic, sanguine  type,  she  had  been  led  to  join  a  few  others 
in  the  work  of  redemption  conducted  under  the  auspices  of 
the  Midnight  Mission.  Aunt  Mary  was  returning  from  the 
Mission  when  she  caught  sight  of  the  Doctor,  her  heart  full  to 
overflowing  about  some  hopeful  cases  among  the  unfortunate 
outcasts  she  had  met.  Like  an  Angel  of  Mercy  she  had  been 
spending  her  evening  talking  with  purity  of  thought  and 
action  to  some,  and  waiting  for  others  who  might  wander  in 
from  the  streets.  She  had  been  holding  out  her  arms  to  wel- 
come, to  give  shelter  in  the  Home-^Christ-like — "Come  unto 
vMe,  all  ye  that  are  weary  and  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give 
-^  vou  rest." 

As  the  Doctor  left  Aunt  Mary  at  the  door  of  her  own  modest 
home,  his  thoughts  reverted  irresistibly  to  his  evening's  ex- 
perience considered  as  a  whole. 

The  lights  and  shadows  of  city  life,  the  contrasts,  the 
changes  that  a  day  may  bring  forth.  Then  of  the  countless 
fields  of  work  for  truth  as  each  one  sees  it  in  his  own  environ- 
ment. Surely  the  Christ  life  was  the  most  beautiful  and  help- 
ful of  all. 

He  recalled  how  Adele  Cultus  had  once  experienced  an  ar- 
dent desire  to  work  in  the  slums  and  been  prevented  by  cir- 
cumstances, yet  continued  to  progress  in  her  own  sphere.  He 
thought  he  detected  a  spiritual  similarity  between  her  and 
Aunt  Mary,  yet  to  outward  view  there  was  little  to  suggest 
such  comparison;  yet  again  there  was,  for  the  elderly  sym- 
pathy for  others  might  have  once  in  youth  taken  a  youthful 
form  of  expression, — and  the  present  youthful  girl  who  began 
by  s}Tnpathy  for  others  might  yet  attain  to  her  ideals. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST  43 

Then  his  thoughts  wandered  off  in  quite  another  direction. 
The  fresh  foliage  in  the  park  had  forcibly  reminded  him  of 
the  coming  season  for  travel,  the  time  had  arrived  to  make 
final  arrangements  for  a  contemplated  trip  abroad.  Paul  and 
he  had  so  decided  during  the  winter,  and  already  engaged 
state-rooms.  They  had  often  spent  summers  in  England  and 
on  the  Continent,  and  this  time  looked  forward  to  a  longer 
absence  than  usual, — a  visit  to  Greece,  and  possibly  to  the 
Far  East.  The  Doctor  had  longed  to  stand  upon  a  pinnacle 
of  the  Himalayas,  having  then  about  as  much  idea  of  what  a 
pinnacle  in  that  region  might  prove  to  be,  as  many  possess 
of  the  veritable  north  pole. 

His  thoughts  were  certainly  vague,  yet  again  quite  definite 
after  their  kind.  When  he  turned  in  to  bed  and  began  to 
enter  the  domain  of  Travellers'  Hope,  he  thought  he  saw 
Aunt  Mary  attending  meeting  in  Exeter  Hall,  London,  and 
Adele  Cultus  playing  golf  with  the  divinities  on  Olympus. 
He  was  hoping  Adele  would  win,  when — ^he  forgot  to  notice 
whether  she  did  or  not. 


44         A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 


VI 

AN-  AVATAR  IN  THE   OCCIDENT — THE   THEOPHANY   OP   SPRING 

THE  advent  of  spring  brought  with  it  the  spirit  of  loco- 
motion to  many  others  besides  the  Doctor  and  Paul, — 
it  generally  does  to  a  sane  mind  in  a  healthy  body. 
With  the  resurrection  of  new  life  comes  the  exuberant  desire 
to  live  in  the  open,  more  freely,  and  have  one's  being  in  action, 
to  exercise  "thought,  being  and  joy"  to  the  fullest  extent. 

To  none  was  this  more  forcibly  true  than  to  Adele  Cultus, 
whose  whole  being  responded  when  the  sun  shone  forth  and 
the  birds  sang.  This  condition  of  things  had  been  greatly 
strengthened  in  her  limited  experience  thus  far,  by  a  conver- 
sation she  once  had  with  her  father,  when  she  sought  his 
advice  in  connection  with  teaching  a  class  in  Sunday-School. 
It  was  soon  after  she  graduated,  and  although  she  was  by  no 
means  ignorant  of  academic  phraseology  in  regard  to  certain 
matters,  she  was  not  satisfied;  she  wanted  a  simpler,  useful 
way  of  expressing  facts  involving  doctrine,  and  had  asked  her 
father  a  direct  question  which  might  have  proved  a  poser  to 
some  parents,  but  certainly  not  to  Professor  Cultus,  who  earn- 
estly desired  that  his  daughter  should  be  spared  the  mental 
strife  in  his  own  experience  over  moral  and  ethical  questions 
involving  discussion  which  really  did  not  help  towards  better 
living.  The  Professor  detected  that  she  wished  to  talk  with 
him  seriously ;  so  he  drew  her  towards  him,  made  her  sit  upon 
his  knee  that  she  might  feel  near  him  in  love  and  affection,— 
comfortably  at  home  while  her  spirit  sought  the  truth. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  45 

"Well,  my  daughter,  what  can  Father  do  to  help  yo^^  ?  Any 
college  conundrums  ?     Life  is  full  of  conundrums,  you  know  !" 

Adele  smiled.  "Oh,  yes,  I  suppose  so.  But  what  I  want 
is  a  simple  answer — my  class  must  understand,  and  think 
about  it  afterwards." 

"Perhaps  you  know  the  answer  yourself,  already,"  said  the 
Professor,  "and  only  wish  to  quiz  me," 

Adele  shifted  her  position  on  his  knee,  as  if  uneasy.  "Why, 
of  course  I  know;  I  suppose  everybody  knows, — but  I  want 
to  be  helped.  Knowing  is  not  enough.  What  is  sin,  anyhow  ? 
I  know  it's  detestable,  but  I  can't  help  it.  That's  about  all  I 
do  know,  really." 

The  Professor  drew  a  breath  of  relief.  Adele  saw  her 
father's  eyes  brighten,  and  instantly  felt  that  he  would  help 
her. 

"Not  such  a  poser  as  you  think,"  said  the  Professor,  with 
marvelous  cheerfulness,  considering  the  topic,  "although  an 
immense  amount  has  been  written  about  it  which  certainly  is 
confusing."  Adele,  noticing  that  to  him  it  certainly  was  not 
so  gloomy  as  she  had  expected,  at  once  felt  at  ease  also. 

"I  don't  care  what  has  been  written  about  it  to  confuse, — 
what  is  it?  Some  speak  of  a  particular  sin  first  committed 
by  Adam  and  Eve,  and  we  have  inherited  it  from  them.  Well, 
Father  dear,  I  don't  believe  I  inherited  sin  from  you,  even  if 
I  do  have  it  myself.  God  in  Heaven  is  Love, — I  can't  believe 
such  a  thing  of  Him.  Every  baby  I  look  at  tells  me  it  isn't 
sinful.  Why,  they  stretch  out  their  little  hands  to  you  to 
take  'em  in  your  arms." 

Her  father  appeared  rather  more  solemn  in  aspect  than  be- 
fore; experiencing  a  peculiar  paternal  sensation  of  mysteri- 
ous responsibility.     He  let  Adele  continue. 

"Others,"  said  she,  "speak  as  if  it  were  a  condition  we  each 
have  to  experience  for  some  reason  or  other.  That  seems 
reasonable,  because  we  do.  But  it's  very  confusing  to  teach, 
or  even  to  talk  of  to  any  one  else,  even  if  we  all  do  have  the 


4G  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

experience.  What  is  it,  anyhow?"  and  she  looked  at  her 
father  straight  in  the  eyes. 

A  strong,  impressive,  additional  experience,  which  was  in- 
spiring for  both  of  them,  resulted ;  and  Adele  afterwards 
looked  back  npon  it  as  one  of  life's  turning  points,  if  not  a 
veritable  crisis. 

Truth  paternal,  as  if  direct  from  "Our  Father,"  rose 
instantly  within  the  innermost  consciousness  of  Professor 
Cultus,  father  of  his  beloved  daughter  sitting  on  his  knee, 
seeking  the  truth  where  she  believed  it  could  be  found.  He 
knew  intuitively  what  sort  of  definition  could  alone  satisfy 
Adele  at  that  time  in  her  life.  He  must  speak  the  pure  help- 
ful truth  in  sincerity,  just  as  he  saw  it  himself,  no  more,  no 
less: — and  this  being  the  case,  the  Holy  Spirit  of  Truth  in 
Life  gave  him  power  of  utterance.  He  answered  promptly. 
Adele  never  forgot  his  words,  or  to  be  more  precise,  the  won- 
derful concept  as  to  facts  in  nature  which  his  words  instilled 
within  her  own  personality.  The  thoughts  engendered  be- 
came a  part  of  her  being,  and  produced  a  purer  atmosphere 
for  body,  mind  and  heart. 

"Adele,  my  darling,  think  of  life  this  way.  Truth  is  like 
the  light,  the  light  you  sec  with  your  physical  eyes ; — and  light 
is  as  righteousness.  Sin,  as  you  know,  your  conscience  tells 
you  so,  is  the  absence  of  righteousness;  and  this  precisely  as 
darkness  is  the  absence  of  light.  Christ,  the  historic  Jesus  of 
Nazareth,  is  well  known,  to  those  who  know  Him  personally, 
and  therefore  most  competent  to  judge,  as  the  Light  of  the 
World  in  regard  to  spiritual  life.  It  was  He,  among  all  the 
founders  of  the  great  historic  religions,  who  really,  truly, 
brought  that  spiritual  life  and  immortality  into  the  brighter 
light  we  now  enjoy.  His  personality,  as  the  very  source  of 
this  light  which  enlightens,  grows  clearer  and  more  potent  as 
the  history  of  the  world  progresses ;  His  personality  the  most 
enlightening  influence  ever  known  in  human  experience  and 
the  progress  of  civilizations.     He  was  a  thoroughly  truthful. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  47 

righteous  man,  actuated  by  love  for  humanity;  whose  life, 
words,  deeds  and  sufferings  for  truth's  sake,  embodied  the 
truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth.  And  now,  Adele,  with  these 
thoughts  about  the  Light  of  the  "World  one  can  understand 
better,  and  more  light  will  shine  upon  your  inquiry. 

"If  one  does  not  live  in  the  good  light  of  righteousness 
and  seek  the  very  brightest  and  best  he  can  get,  then  such  a 
person  will  certainly  be  more  or  less  in  the  dark, — the  darkness 
of  sin.     Of  course  this  condition  of  living  away  from  the  light 
given  us  will  result  in  violations  of  the  divine  laws  in  nature, 
a  breaking  of  the  divine  rule  of  duty  which  is  to  seek  the  light  j 
of  truth,  not  darkness.     Adele,  your  conscience  will  tell  you  ( 
the  truth,  therefore  always  turn  from  darkness  towards  light.  \ 
Go  out  into  the  world  somewhere  when  you  can't  see  clearly  in 
your  mind,  and  look  upwards,  the  spiritual  light  will  soon 
come  to  you,  my  darling ;  but  be  sure  to  look  upwards,  always 
upwards,  beyond  yourself, — toward  the  Light  of  the  World." 

"I  never  did  like  cloudy  days,"  mused  Adele, — and  then 
audibly,  to  encourage  her  father  to  continue — "I  think  I  know 
what  you  mean,  Father ;  please  go  on." 

"Let  me  tell  you  a  great  secret,"  said  her  father,  drawing 
her  still  closer.  He  loved  her  as  the  apple  of  his  eye,  and 
was  intensely  desirous  that  she  should  be  spared  those  un- 
necessary troubles  in  this  life  from  which  he  himself  had  suf- 
fered. "Let  me  tell  you  a  great  secret,  Adele,  one  of  the  most 
practical  mysteries  in  nature,  because  able  to  banish  many 
worries  from  your  own  heart-life.  Don't  bother,  my  dear, 
about  overcoming  sin,  or  sins,  simply  turn  from  them  when 
they  seem  near  by,  moving  out  into  the  light,  any  light  you 
can  find, — and  the  darkness  will  flee  away.  Do  you  under- 
stand, my  daughter?  All  sin,  but  only  when  they  deliber- 
ately choose  to  seek  and  stay  in  the  dark;  all  sin,  just  as  we  ! 
all  walk  in  the  dark  sometimes,  but  it  is  useless  to  fight  in  the 
dark  except  to  get  out  of  it;  therefore  turn  at  once  toward 
the  light  so  that  you  may  see  what  you  can  see,  the  better  the 


48         A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

light  the  more  clearly  you  will  see; — this  is  a  fact  in  nature 
hoth  as  to  physical  and  spiritual  sight,  a  great  secret  in  nature, 
hid  from  many  Vho  love  darkness.'  Go  out  into  the  sun- 
light whenever  you  can,  so  warm  and  beautiful,  and  the  dark- 
ness of  sin  will  flee  away, — you  will  see  truth  clearer  and 
brighter  than  ever  before." 

"Father,  I  begin  to  see  a  little  already,"  and  she  kissed  him. 

Her  natural  tendencies  were  to  look  upwards  and  enjoy 
things.  The  Professor's  little  sermon  on  Light  as  Eighteous- 
ness  appealed  to  her  strongly  as  the  truth;  and  what  he  had 
hoped  for,  namely,  that  sin,  as  such,  should  be  put  in  the  dark 
background  so  that  her  mind  would  not  dwell  upon  it  at  all, 
was  for  once  an  actual  experience  in  her  life.  This  practical 
experience  was  what  she  most  needed  then  and  there.  Her 
father  had  helped  her  to  look  upwards  towards  the  Light  of 
the  World,  and  when  she  did,  she  saw  no  sin  nor  darkness 
whatsoever.  This  was  indeed  a  secret  worth  knowing  to  live 
by.  It  not  only  gave  her  a  chance  for  practical  application 
in  her  class  which  she  immediately  decided  to  put  in  practice, 
but  it  generated  a  train  of  thought  which  she  applied  many 
times  in  later  experience.  On  the  very  next  Sunday  she  took 
her  own  way  to  bring  the  matter  home  to  her  class,  several 
members  of  which  would  have  been  much  improved  by  a 
judicious  use  of  soap  and  water.  She  touched  upon  this  some- 
what delicate  subject  by  simply  suggesting  that  if  any  one 
wished  to  know  what  sin  was,  he  could  easily  find  out  by  look- 
ing at  his  dirty  hands  in  the  bright  sunshine, — the  sin  spots 
could  then  be  easily  seen.  "Your  inside  is  just  like  your  out- 
side," said  she,  "both  want  watching  and  washing  in  a  good 
light  to  find  those  dirty  sin  spots,  and  get  rid  of  them."  The 
class  understood  her  perfectly;  the  boys  especially,  the  girls, 
too,  each  after  his  own  kind. 

As  to  the  train  of  thought  generated  within  herself,  that 
also  took  form,  and  in  a  way  to  strengthen  her  ideals  of  what 
good  thoughts  should  be.     She  retired  to  bed  that  blessed 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  49 

night  after  her  father  had  told  her  about  the  Light  of  the 
World  and  of  always  looking  upwards,  with  no  fear  of  sin 
whatever.  It  is  something  to  be  turned  from,  like  many  other 
kinds  of  dirt  in  nature,  only  one  had  to  look  upwards  in 
order  to  avoid  it  because  it  soiled  the  mind  as  well  as  the 
body.  There  was  a  lovely  picture  of  the  Christ  Child  in  the 
arms  of  His  Mother,  hanging  over  her  writing-desk  in  her 
room.  As  she  looked  upwards,  it  appeared  bathed  in  sunlight, 
and  the  Baby  was  so  very  fresh  and  clean. 

And  when  the  morning  rays  came  into  her  bedroom,  Adele 
whispered  to  herself,  "Oh,  there's  the  dawn !  the  light  is  com- 
ing! The  roseate  first,  and  then  the  golden  rays!  How 
beautiful !  The  Angels  of  Light !  coming  to  drive  away  dark- 
ness— and  sin."  She  cherished  this  symbolism  her  father  had 
given  her,  throughout  her  whole  life ;  and  from  that  day  sun- 
rise meant  much  more  to  Adele  than  to  many  who  had  none 
to  tell  them  how  the  beauties  and  mysteries  of  nature  are  really 
blended  together  as  one.  All  may  see  the  facts  and  be  helped, 
if  they  will  only  look  upwards  towards  the  Light  of  the  World. 

It  was  not  surprising,  therefore,  at  the  present  period  of 
her  career,  when  the  advent  of  spring  approached,  that  Adele 
enjoyed  the  prospect  exceedingly.  Incidentally  she  had  heard 
of  several  who  were  going  abroad  that  season,  among  them  the 
Doctor  and  Paul.  "Oh,  how  I  wish  I  were  going !  The  very 
thought  is  exhilarating;  what  would  the  realization  be! 
If " 

She  went  to  the  window  and  looked  upwards.  "What  a 
lovely  day  I — I  think  I  will  take  a  stroll  in  the  park,"  and  she 
picked  up  a  little  book  which  the  Doctor  had  loaned  her.  "I'll 
take  this  with  me  and  read  it;  it's  something  about  Oriental 
theophanies,  whatever  that  may  be.  I'll  just  read  it  and 
imagine  I'm  out  in  the  Orient.  If  one  cannot  go,  the  next 
best  thing  is  to  imagine  one  is  there, — ^with  a  book." 

She  was  dressing  to  go  out  when  her  thoughts  took  another 
flight.     "People  talk  about  waiting  for  things  to  turn  up, 


50  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

they  always  say  circumstances  don't  suit  just  now,  and  then 
collapse.  Of  course  they  collapse, — I  should  if  always  wait- 
ing— I  am  sure  I  should.  I  couldn't  stand  it.  Why  not 
hurry  up  the  circumstances  ?  Mother  often  makes  the  circum- 
stances, and  then  people  fall  in ;  I've  seen  her  do  it  fifty  times. 
Oh,  how  I  wish  I  could  go  abroad!" — then  taking  her  book 
she  set  out  for  a  stroll. 

Adele  in  the  park,  how  different  from  the  Doctor,  the  cir- 
cumstances altogether  different.  Not  at  night  and  alone,  but 
when  the  sunlight  gave  brilliancy  and  she  was  liable  at  any 
moment  to  meet  some  one  she  knew. 

There  was,  however,  a  quiet  nook  where  she  hoped  to  be 
able  to  read  undisturbed,  an  inconspicuous  seat  partially  sur- 
rounded by  a  cultivated  thicket  of  shrubbery.  This  seemed 
to  suit  her  present  mood,  and  she  was  soon  engrossed  in  the 
little  book  so  full  of  the  Oriental  way  of  looking  at  things, 
figures  of  speech  in  which  the  forces  of  nature  were  personified, 
and  the  most  ordinary  facts  described  in  language  which  might 
lead  plain  people  to  imagine  supernatural  operations  in  nature. 
It  was  not  so  easy  as  she  imagined,  however,  to  keep  her  mind 
in  focus.  Of  course  she  had  to  nod  to  several  of  the  girls  as 
they  passed  b}',  and  with  one  eye  still  following  them  she  ob- 
served how  the  birds  were  ruining  a  newly  planted  flower 
bed,  nipping  off  the  young  shoots  and  gobbling  up  the  seed 
which  should  be  left  to  sprout  later.  Of  course  that  had  to  be 
stopped, — she  must  frighten  off  the  birds  to  save  the  plants. 
Eeturning  to  her  book,  she  noticed  some  manuscript  leaves  in- 
serted. They  were  in  the  Doctor's  handwriting  and  so  pal- 
pably intended  to  be  read  with  the  text  in  order  to  elucidate 
further  the  author's  ideas,  that  Adele  had  no  hesitation  what- 
ever in  reading  them,  and  became  absorbed  at  once.  They 
seemed  like  what  her  father  had  told  her,  only  in  another  form. 
The  Doctor  had  used  Western  phraseology  to  convey  Oriental 
imagery  and  ideas, — to  show  how  Oriental  imagery  may  still 
be  forcible  to  Western  sense, — how  the  truth  was  in  all,  to  be 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  51 

perceived  by  each  after  his  own  fashion.  Of  course  the  Doc- 
tor's effort  was  crude,  and  well  showed  how  such  ideas  may 
lose  force  when  separated  from  the  civilization  which  had 
originally  called  them  forth ;  but  of  this  Adele  had  no  realiz- 
ing sense.  They  spoke  to  her  so  that  she  could  understand. 
She  did  not  criticise,  but  sought  the  truth  no  matter  how 
crude  the  effort, — thereby  manifesting  the  prime  element  es- 
sential in  all  true  criticism,  namely,  sympathy  with  the  author. 
What  she  read  was  entitled : 

The  Theophany  of  Spring. 

In  the  Domain  of  Nature,  during  early  Spring,  one  sees 
the  Spirit  of  New  Life  as  an  avatar,  a  coming  of  the  Deity, 
or  manifestation  of  the  Mind  in  Nature,  down  to  earth — to 
produce  a  resurrection  of  thought,  being,  joy,  from  an  appar- 
ent death  and  past. 

To  rescue  mankind  from  destruction,  the  Spirit  form  is 
clothed  with  Hope  as  with  a  garment,  hope  in  tangible  mani- 
festation, an  admirable  exhibition  of  an  abstract  idea,  a  law 
in  nature,  in  concrete  fulfilment, — obedience. 

Clothed  in  delicate,  lace-like  foliage  and  young  blossoms, 
the  verdant  coloring  of  many  shades,  the  Presence  of  the  Spirit 
is  manifest.  As  movement  tells  of  the  wind,  so  do  the  youthful 
forms  tell  of  refinement,  modesty,  purity.  How  exquisite  the 
affinity,  the  relationship  to  the  azure  blue,  the  heavens  above 
from  which  new  life  must  come  with  light,  warmth,  and  nour- 
ishment; and  with  the  fleecy  clouds  floating  in  the  vast  ex- 
panse, white,  the  blending  of  all  colors ;  marking  the  heavenly 
route  by  which  the  Spirit  had  passed  in  coming  down  to 
Mother  Earth.  Sparkling  gems,  the  gift  from  April  showers, 
decked  her  hopeful  garments;  not  after  man's  arrangement; 
there  was  a  method  in  the  natural  spirit-art  which  embodied 
both  the  good  and  the  true  with  the  beautiful.  Wherever  the 
brilliant  points  could  accentuate  a  graceful  fold,  or  enlighten 
the  mind,  or  give  nourishment,  produce  good  results  in  any 


52  A  TWENTIETH  CEXTUEY  IDEALIST 

way,  as  moisture  gives  life  and  sustentation,  there  were  the 
sparkling  gems  upon  the  Theophany  of  New  Life. 

As  one  gazes  with  holy  admiration  at  this  theophany  of 
truth  in  renewed  manifestation,  and  watches  the  changing 
effects,  the  action  of  the  Spirit  of  New  Life  becomes  apparent; 
the  adaptation  of  the  new  growth  to  progress  becomes  a  living 
experience,  the  facts  become  vital  in  significance  to  help  others 
to  live  beautifully  and  truly.  The  pure  white  light  from  the 
azure  sky,  the  composite  of  all  colors,  differentiates  itself  when 
touching  the  new  growth  and  youthful  forms.  Topaz  flow- 
ers, and  garlands  of  ruby  blossoms,  rich  golden  stamens  set  in 
sapphire  corollas,  the  royal  purple,  bloomed  upon  the  garments 
of  Hope,  turquoise  opaque  tints  and  alexandrite  changing  hues 
took  proper  place  as  life  took  time. 

The  New  Life  advances,  treading  the  way  all  plants  and 
men  should  follow — must  follow.  The  always  true,  alwa3's 
good,  always  beautiful,  in  motion  or  effect.  And  at  times  the 
theophany  is  seen  in  effects  too  dazzling  for  mortal  eye  to 
gaze  upon  with  sight  in  nakedness — the  naked  eye  cannot  see 
and  live.  From  behind  the  cumuli  of  clouds  such  radiant  out- 
bursts of  effvilgent  splendor  that  a  transfiguration  of  the 
Presence  itself  seems  imminent,  a  veritable  foresight  of  what 
the  pure  in  heart  above  can  see  and  live, — a  glimpse  of  what  is 
implied  by  the  immanence  of  the  Creator  of  all  life.  It  is 
then  that  scintillations  of  brilliancy  shine  forth  from  every 
gem,  from  every  good  thought,  from  every  beautiful  action, 
responsive  to  Him  who  created  them.  It  is  then  that  the  truth 
is  visible  to  the  naked  eye  so  that  man  can  see  upon  the  earth 
that  for  which  he  prays,  "as  it  is  in  heaven."  It  is  then  that 
the  Spirit  of  New  Life  becomes  enveloped  as  with  a  halo 
around  her  own  presence,  and  vision  is  blinded  by  the  in- 
creasing effulgence  of  the  truthful  atmospheric  effects. 

Man  closes  his  eyes,  his  vision  is  too  weak,  too  limited  in 
power  and  scope,  to  behold  that  which  is  actually  before  his 
eyesight.     And  while  his  sight  is  sealed  by  the  very  glory  of 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  53 

the  fact  itself,  and  his  mental  vision  strives  to  retain  per- 
manently that  which  he  has  been  permitted  to  witness,  then 
the  Spirit  speaks,  speaks  into  the  heart-life  of  those  who  have 
sought  by  striving  to  learn  how  to  hear  as  well  as  to  see.  It  is 
then  when  the  eye  is  closed,  yet  all  in  the  presence  of  New  Life, 
that  the  avatar,  theophany,  renaissance,  resurrection  of  truth 
in  springtime,  speaks  the  pure  word  of  the  Mind  of  Nature, 
the  Creator  Father, — the  still  small  voice  is  heard. 

Softly  as  a  murmur  it  comes  from  all  directions.  To  him 
whose  life  work  is  in  one  field  it  is  a  voice  profound  and  com- 
prehensive in  nature,  and  he  calls  it  the  music  of  the  spheres. 
To  another,  it  seems  as  tender,  loving  and  true  as  parental 
affection  in  its  holiest  moments,  and  this  one  takes  his  chil- 
dren into  the  fields  and  wood  to  see  and  hear.  It  pervades  all 
life,  this  Voice  of  Thought,  Being,  Joy,  in  the  resurrection  of 
New  Life.  It  is  heard  in  the  bird-notes  from  every  bush  as 
the  little  songsters  sing  to  their  mates,  rejoicing  in  renewed 
virility  and  hope  of  cozy  nests  amid  the  youthful  foliage;  it 
is  the  voice  of  renewed  youth  speaking  unto  itself,  yet  not 
itself,  but  through  itself  into  those  whom  it  had  created,  pre- 
served, saved, — a  simple,  child-like  voice,  asking  questions. 

Man  pauses  to  listen.  What  are  the  questions  asked  in  the 
early  childhood  of  springtime? 

Oh,  how  pure,  sincere !  Transparent,  clear !  How  loving 
the  motive  and  desire  which  prompts  the  children  of  men 
when  close  to  nature  to  look  up  wistfully  for  an  answer. 

''Whence  comes  this  Spirit  of  New  Life?" 

And  lo !  the  inner  voice : 

"All  things  were  made  by  Him,  and  without  Him  was  not 
anything  made  that  was  made." 

And  lo !  again  the  voice : 

"In  Him  was  Life,  and  the  Life  was  the  Light  of  Men." 

And  lo !  yet  again  the  voice — for  the  third  time, — the  voice 
of  a  man  to  his  brother  man: 

"I  am  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life.    Come  unto  Me." 


54  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

Adele  heard  this  inner  voice, — the  Trinity  in  Nature 
operative,  speaking  to  her,  to  her  personally. 

She  closed  the  book,  pressing  it  against  her  heart,  and 
wended  her  way  homeward,  absorbed  in  thought,  verily  as 
one  in  the  world,  yet  now  above  it,  spiritually. 

Her  father  had  spoken  to  her  of  the  Light  of  the  World,  as 
Intelligence  and  Eighteousness.  He  who  is  the  Light  of  the 
World  had  said  to  her,  spiritually: 

"I  am  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life." 

She  had  sought  the  sunshine,  and  heard  the  Voice; — the 
Voice  of  the  Trinity  in  the  springtime  of  her  youth. 

Not  until  next  morning  did  the  practical  application  of 
what  Adele  had  heard  take  hold  upon  her  as  something  de- 
manding prompt  attention.  The  concept  once  accepted,  at 
once  acted  like  a  seed-word,  producing  new  life,  and  the  beau- 
tiful blossoms  of  a  new  intelligence  appeared.  She  herself 
became  a  part  of  this  springtime  resurrection.  Being  what 
she  was,  youthful,  intelligent,  sincere,  it  of  course  took  form, 
naturally,  in  connection  with  that  phase  of  life  and  activity 
which  was  uppermost  in  her  own  environment  at  the  time, — 
but  the  motive  now  much  more  heartfelt  and  spiritual. 

She  had  longed  to  go  abroad,  and  often  said  so,  merely,  how- 
ever, for  the  hope  of  enjoyment,  now  the  desire  was  to  see 
and  learn  more  of  humanity  at  large  for  a  given  purpose ;  and 
especially  that  region,  the  Orient,  from  which  such  thoughts, 
so  practical  yet  spiritual,  had  originally  come.  She  wanted  a 
broader  knowledge  of  the  world  and  of  the  great  religions ;  of 
the  Light  of  the  World  as  a  universal  spiritual  as  well  as 
physical  experience,  and  this,  simply  in  order  to  live  better, 
truer,  and  to  help  others. 

"I  must  go ! — really  must,"  she  whispered,  "even  if  I  have 
to  make  the  circumstances." 

"OA,  ye  who  may  survive  me  when  the  spring  returns., 
Remember  how  I  loved  its  loveliness.'" 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  55 


VII 

OFF  TO  ASIA 

IT  was  at  the  Club,  only  a  few  days  later,  where  the  Doc- 
tor met  Professor  Cultus.  The  -usual  preliminaries  of 
greeting  had  hardly  passed  from  hearing  before  the 
Professor  seemed  unusually  anxious  to  know  certain  details 
about  the  Far  East,  details  about  modes  of  travel  and  such 
things, — in  fact,  asked  so  many  questions  quite  unlike  his 
usual  mode  of  conversation,  that  the  Doctor  pricked  up  his 
ears  with  delight,  evidently  having  some  suspicions,  and 
finally  asked  the  direct  question:  ^'Why  don't  you  go  and 
see  for  yourself  ?" 

Professor  Cultus  laughed,  and  then  frankly  acknowledged 
the  situation:  "Mrs.  Cultus  and  Adele  are  so  bent  on  see- 
ing the  Orient  before  it  becomes  civilized,  as  they  evidently 
expect,  that  I  have  no  peace.  Mrs.  Cultus  is  reading  '0.  K.' 
between  the  lines  of  The  Incarnation  of  Krishna  Mulvaney,' 
as  if  one  ought  to  throw  some  light  upon  the  other.  She 
says  she  wants  to  make  the  acquaintance  of  some  of  those 
Khidmatgars  and  Maharajas  while  they  yet  stand  upon  their 
native  heath.  I've  told  her  they  don't  wear  kilts  like  Mac- 
Gregor,  but  'twas  no  use.  She  immediately  wished  to  know 
what  they  did  wear.  I  suppose  I'm  in  for  it.  They've  been 
talking  the  matter  over  at  intervals  all  winter,  but  now! 
now !  0  now !  we  have  it  from  thin  soup  to  thick  coffee." 

"Better  give  in,"  said  the  Doctor,  laughing  heartily. 

"Well,  just  between  us,  I  have; — but  I  haven't  told  them 
so,  not  as  yet.     I  rather  take  to  the  notion  myself  since  I  can 


56  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

see  my  way  to  get  off,  but  I  don't  quite  understand  the  modus 
operandi — how  one  man  can  manage  civilized  women  in  a 
land  where  women  don't  generally  count  for  much.  Did 
you  say  the  Taj  could  now  be  seen  without  an  elephant  ride  ? 
That's  the  sort  of  thing  I  must  know  beforehand ;  two  civil- 
ized women  on  one  wild  beast  might  demoralize  the  beast." 

The  bare  possibility  of  having  the  Cultus  party  in  the  East 
at  the  same  time  with  themselves,  sent  Paul  to  call  upon  Adele 
as  quickly  as  he  could  pick  up  his  hat  and  rush  out.  These 
two  young  members  put  their  heads  together  and  practically 
settled  all  details,  both  possible  and  impossible,  before  the 
older  members  of  the  party  could  well  realize  what  they  were 
talking  about.  Youth  forever!  American  style!  Action! 
Action !    Action !  with  occasional  application  of  the  brake. 

Mrs.  Cultus  was  greatly  in  favor  of  having  four  in  their 
own  party. 

"Une  partie  carree  is  always  so  much  more  workable  when 
travelling,"  she  said,  '^and  besides,  Adele  ought  to  have  some 
one  nearer  her  own  age.  I  don't  intend  to  follow  Adele  into 
every  dirty  native  haunt  she  may  take  a  notion  to  visit.  Now 
if  we  can  only  find  some  one  of  the  modern  Investigating- 
Civil  Club,  or  of  the  Literary-Reformation  Reportorial  So- 
ciety, we  shall  be  in  clover  all  through  the  tour;  we  can  re- 
port progress  in  print  whenever  we  wish,  and  have  a  book 
ready  as  soon  as  we  return." 

"But,  Mother,  you  are  too  grasping,"  exclaimed  Adele, 
"only  a  literary  corps  can  assimilate  the  whole  thing." 

"No !  Not  quite !"  said  Mrs.  Cultus.  "We  need  only  re- 
port our  own  progress,  not  the  rotation-progress-of-the-earth. 
Now  that  I  come  to  think  of  it,  perhaps  I'd  better  do  the  re- 
porting myself.  The  society  column  generally  puts  in  what 
I  send  them, — and  then  I'm  sure  of  what  is  said.  Oh !  I  have 
an  idea !  It's  a  companion  for  you,  Adele,  that  troubles  me ! 
Now  I  come  to  think  of  it,  whom  would  you  like?"  But 
before  any  one  could  reply,  Mrs.  Cultus  continued: 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  57 

'^hy,  Miss  Winchester,  of  course!  Now  if  she  can  be 
persuaded, — Adele,  you  know  how  to  coax  her, — that  will  be 
the  very  thing."  Professor  Cultus  made  no  objection,  and  the 
delighted  Adele  took  it  up  as  if  the  persuasion  of  Miss  Win- 
chester were  a  foregone  conclusion. 

Adele  and  Paul  found  Miss  Winchester  in  her  own  study, 
her  writing-table  littered  with  odds  and  ends,  apparently, 
really  notes  such  as  literary  workers  are  apt  to  jot  down  when 
a  passing  thought  or  phrase  seems  worth  keeping;  loose  slips 
of  paper  and  packages  held  by  gum  bands,  pieces  pinched  at 
the  ends  with  mysterious  folds,  also  things  tucked  away  under 
blotters  where  she  couldn't  find  them,  and  so  forth.  The 
Persuasion  Committee,  Adele  Chairman,  entered, — a  gale  of 
wind  among  the  papers.  Action  first  and  the  ideas  picked 
up  afterwards.  Eapturous  greeting  between  the  girl  chums ; — 
then  Adele  exclaimed,  "Oh !  Frank !  If  you  love  me  do  con- 
sent to  come  with  us." 

"Caramels  or  Gibraltars  ?  Which  is  it  this  time  ?"  laughed 
Miss  Winchester. 

"Please  put  on  your  bonnet  and  come,"  gushed  Paul,  manly 
mindful  of  the  importance  of  such  things. 

"0  Frank !     We're  just  wild  to  have  you." 

"Well,  please  become  sane  again,  take  a  seat; — ^no,  not 
on  that  box,  it's  precious !" 

Adele  dashed  her  hat  and  gloves  on  the  writing-table,  ut- 
terly regardless  of  pens,  ink,  papers  or  blotters.  "Now,  my 
dear,  no  nonsense, — do  say  yes." 

"My  dear  Adele,  I  do  love  you  very  much,  but  I  haven't 
the  faintest  idea  what  you're  talking  about," 

Adele  produced  a  printed  list  of  routes  for  travellers. 
"There!"  Miss  Winchester  noticed  an  illustration  of  the 
Sphynx  on  the  cover.  "I  never  made  her  acquaintance,"  said 
she,  and  a  comical  expression  played  over  her  features  as  she 
tried  to  divine  what  Adele  expected  the  Sphynx  to  tell. 

Adele  took  it  up  at  once.     "You  never  met  the  Sphynx! 


58  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

Why,  that's  just  it !  Now's  our  chance, — don't  you  see  ?"  And 
the  Committee  started  in,  one  hundred  and  twenty  words  to 
the  minute,  to  explain  matters. 

Miss  Winchester,  somewhat  confused  by  the  rapidity  of 
Adele's  jumps  from  place  to  place  in  mental  travelling,  but  as 
responsively  elastic  as  either  of  the  others,  took  several  turns 
in  her  office-chair  while  the  others  were  chatting;  but  when 
they  landed  her  among  the  Himalaya  mountains  as  part  of  the 
journey,  she  gasped  for  utterance : 

"Bless  me !     You  take  my  breath  away." 

"Never  mind!  Catch  it  again.  Oh,  do  please!  Please 
do !  and  come  along !" 

"But  you  must  give  me  time  to  think,"  and  Miss  Winchester 
began  cogitating  how  she  would  turn  an  apparent  impossi- 
bility into  an  assured  fact. 

"Oh,  don't  think  too  much,"  exclaimed  Adele,  when  the 
result  of  thinking  looked  precarious.  "Just  do  it, — why,  don't 
you  see  ?  The  opportunity  of  our  lives !  We  shall  learn  so 
much." 

Now  it  so  happened,  the  circumstances  being  favorable, 
that  Adele's  last  appeal  touched  upon  a  matter  in  Miss  Win- 
chester's past  experience,  and  excited  a  far  more  potent  in- 
centiA'^e  to  join  the  party  than  any  amount  of  contagious  en- 
thusiasm could  ever  have  accomplished. 

Miss  Winchester  had  not  long  before  published  a  success- 
ful novel  based  upon  results  of  travel,  including  character 
sketches,  the  result  of  careful  observation  amid  episodes  of 
ordinary  life.  She  had  given  it  the  whimsical  title  of  'TTpside 
Down."  Now  what  could  possibly  be  more  opportune  than  to 
follow  this  with  others, — say  on  "Downside  Up,"  or,  better 
still,  "Outside  and  Inside"?  And  where  could  more  be 
found  of  circumstantial  interest  than  in  the  Orient?  Who 
knows ! — it  might  lead  to  still  another,  "Turned  Inside  Out," 
for  the  East  undoubtedly  had  many  examples  of  that  sort  of 
thing.     Being  already  a  member  of  the  literary  craft,  the 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  59 

opportunity  was  altogether  too  good  to  be  lost,  every  nerve 
must  be  strained  to  reach  the  other  side.  It  goes  without 
saying  that  the  Chairman  of  the  Persuasion  Committee  was 
caught  dancing  an  impromptu  tarantelle  when  Miss  Win- 
chester finally  told  them  it  might,  possibly  might,  be  arranged. 

"Oh,  then  it's  settled  positively,"  exclaimed  Adele;  "for  if 
you  hesitate  you're  lost." 

Paul  thought  Adele  a  little  witch  as  she  danced  with  glee, 
all  the  time  encouraging  her  friend.  He  remembered  how 
Adele  had  bewitched  himself  also  not  long  before,  when  she 
was  in  quite  another  mood.  Paul  laughed  outright,  but  could 
not  keep  his  eyes  from  noticing  her  every  movement. 

As  to  Miss  Winchester,  she  took  hold  of  the  problem  with 
a  vim  characteristic  of  some  of  the  characters  of  her  own  crea- 
tion ;  she  tackled  at  once  the  ubiquitous  problem  known  to  all 
men  on  both  sides  of  the  globe  as,  "How  to  make  both  ends 
meet,"  and  of  course  solved  it  satisfactorily.  Some  few  of  the 
craft-literary,  and  in  some  degree  all  women  of  whatever  per- 
suasion, usually  do.  So  Adele  was  right, — that  settled  it. 
Miss  Winchester  finally  saw  her  way  clear,  and  joined  their 
party. 

It  would  have  been  difficult  to  find  a  more  congenial  and 
vivacious  group  than  Professor  and  Mrs.  Cultus,  Miss  Win- 
chester and  Adele,  with  their  friends  the  Doctor  and  Paul,  as 
they  met  in  the  salon  of  the  steamer  on  the  eve  of  departure, 
Henri  Semple,  who  looked  forward  to  meeting  them  later  on 
the  other  side,  led  the  party  of  chosen  friends  who  came  to  see 
them  off,  and  while  trying  to  aid  the  Doctor  and  Paul  with 
their  hand-baggage,  kept  dodging  Mr.  Hammond,  one  of  those 
antipathetic,  ghostly  individuals  who  throw  cold  water  upon 
such  occasions.  Mrs,  Maxwell  sent  her  butler  with  an  ex- 
quisite kedge  anchor  in  rose-buds  for  Adele,  "in  case  you  have 
no  wireless  telegraph  when  wrecked,  my  dear." 

Amid  friends,  and  flowers  sent  in  kind  remembrance,  with 
many  kind  messages  'T)on  voyage,"  there  was,  nevertheless. 


60  A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST 

just  a  touch  of  regret  when  some  one  asked  Adele  how  she 
liked  leaving  America.  She  had  thus  far  thought  of  it  as 
leaving  home.  Now  home  was  "America"  in  reference  to 
where  she  was  going, — her  first  sensation  of  the  broadening 
effects  of  travel. 

A  few  moments  later  all  were  on  deck  in  gay  spirits,  Miss 
Winchester  striving  to  avoid  an  impolite  kodak-fiend  in  search 
of  celebrities,  who  was  taking  snap-shots  from  the  bridge;  but 
she  only  succeeded  in  getting  herself  into  a  most  unconven- 
tional attitude,  almost  doubled  up  with  laughter,  strongly  sug- 
gestive in  a  finished  picture  that  some  one  had  the  mal  de  mer 
already.  "One  ought,  never  to  judge  by  appearances,"  re- 
marked the  Doctor,  as  he  attempted  to  shield  Miss  Winchester 
from  the  kodak. 

The  bell  sounded,  only  passengers  were  permitted  to  re- 
main longer  on  board.  The  Doctor  was  saying  "I  trust  we 
meet  again"  to  one  of  his  trunks,  when  Semple  hurried  down 
the  gang-plank  waving  back  "au  revoir";  a  gamin  on  the 
dock  instantly  echoed  back  what  sounded  like  "moo-swore, 
take  moo-swore."  Adele  waved  her  handkerchief  to  Semple, 
and  a  Frenchman  near  by  took  off  his  hat,  smiling  as  if  the 
salute  were  intended  for  him. 

The  steamer  swung  out  from  the  wharf  and  glided  into  mid- 
stream; amid  cheers,  and  adieus  waved  in  many  directions, 
and  kisses  thrown  to  loved  ones  left  behind.  America  and 
home,  now  one  and  the  same,  began  to  recede.  They  were 
actua-lly  on  their  way  to  the  Far  East. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST         61 


VIII 

A  STUDIO  FOR  IMPRESSIONS 

THE  voyage  across  the  Atlantic  from  New  York  to  the 
Gibraltar  proved  a  constant  series  of  sapphire  days. 
Skies  light  azure  often  cloudless,  the  ocean  a  richer 
shade  with  enough  wind  to  curl  the  sea-foam  into  delicate 
lace-like  patterns.  When  the  billows  rose  into  the  domain 
of  direct  sunlight,  myriads  of  brilliant  points  scintillated  like 
sparkling  gems  decorating  the  wave  crests, — the  sea-foam 
not  unlike  flossy  embroidery  or  ruffles  of  lace  upon  silk  of  blue. 

Adele's  first  experience  of  things  as  they  are  in  the  great 
motion  constant,  onward,  ever  forward,  in  the  very  being  of 
the  boundless  deep ;  also  her  first  impressions  of  the  ways  and 
means  amid  a  cosmopolitan  crowd  on  board  an  ocean-flyer. 
Nature  and  humanity,  each  in  constant  movement,  the  former 
with  majesty  and  potency  profound,  the  latter  on  the  grand 
rush,  often  to  obtain  something  to  eat. 

Towards  sunset  she  stood  with  the  Doctor  watching  the 
crimson  disk  grow  less  and  less  in  brilliancy,  and  finally 
through  a  veil  of  luminous  atmosphere  disappear  in  the  mys- 
terious beyond. 

They  spoke  little,  as  if  under  some  fascination.  The  varied 
movements  in  the  sky  and  unstable  water-foundation  were  in- 
deed somewhat  hypnotic  in  effect,  but  a  psychologist  would 
have  been  puzzled  to  detect  the  outcome  of  their  meditations. 
While  they  gazed,  a  passing  breeze  crossed  the  surface  imme- 
diately before  them,  changing  the  delicate  traceries  in  nature's 
handiwork.     The  Doctor  at  once  responded,  for  the  compli- 


62  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

cations  appealed  to  him,  and  most  naturally  he  spoke  in  terms 
of  his  own  previous  experience  of  similar  impressions. 

"Those  changes  in  the  wave  curves  are  not  unlike  harmonic 
modulations,  and  I  can  actually  hear  the  difference."  Adele 
seemed  surprised. 

"Yes,"  continued  the  Doctor,  "the  slow,  dignified  progres- 
sion is  certainly  s^Tuphonic  in  character,  yet  the  infinite 
variety  in  less  melodic  forms  piles  up  little  by  little  until  the 
greater  movement  is  itself  influenced.  How  wonderful,  ma- 
jestic, yet  exceedingly  subtle,  and  always  refined !  It  is  cer- 
tainly sound-color  or  color  as  sound,  and  the  drawing  of  the 
design — well,  'pon  my  soul,  the  drawing  is  too  quick  for  me. 
I  can't  see  how  it  is  done,  it  flits  from  me,  is  gone,  living 
only  in  memory,  not  unlike  the  technical  element  in  the  ren- 
dition of  music.  But  the  sound-color,  the  real  harmony. 
Ah !  that  I  hear  in  my  mind's  ear  and  see  in  my  mind's  eye 
for  long  afterwards."  Adele,  much  younger  than  the  Doctor, 
was  also  working  out  her  own  impressions  according  to  previ- 
ous experience,  the  experience  of  youth. 

"Oh,  yes !     I  see  what  you  see, — very  artistic, — ^you  can 

talk  about  it  in  that  style  if  you  choose,  but "  and  she 

seemed  in  doubt  how  to  describe  what  she  really  felt.  The 
Doctor  waited  till  she  was  ready. 

"It's  so  awfully  real !     It's  alive !" 

"H'm !" 

"Yes,  a  great  real  picture,  that  which  I  like  in  pictures." 

"No  doubt  an  original,"  remarked  the  Doctor,  smiling. 
"The  original  of  many  marines." 

Adele  called  attention  to  the  magnificent  contour  lines 
which  themselves  swayed  to  and  fro  over  the  curved  surface. 

"Don't  you  see,  it's  alive;  the  whole  thing  moves,  it's  so 
true ;  and  you  and  I  with  it,  we're  all  going.  Isn't  that  just 
glorious !" 

"Oh !"  exclaimed  the  Doctor,  "in  Him  we  live  and  move 
and  have  our  being, — that's  what  you  mean  ?" 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  63 

"Just  so,"  and  she  paused  before  contiiming :  "He  was 
the  Artist,  and  it  is  a  living  picture,  a  real  one,  just  ready  to 
be  painted." 

It  was  the  apparent  living  earth,  the  breathing  of  the  deep 
sea  which  had  impressed  Adele,  the  suppressed  emotion  of 
the  planet,  ever  existing,  ever  apparent  to  those  who  had  eyes 
to  see  and  ears  to  hear  for  observation;  and  this  over  the 
whole  vast  expanse, 

"Of  course,"  whispered  Adele,  "a  living  picture,  by  so  great 
an  Artist,  must  be  sublimely  artistic." 

"True,"  mused  the  Doctor,  "the  greater  will  include  the 
less, — a  masterpiece,  an  original,  to  lead  the  artistic  sense  on- 
ward and  upward." 

But  there  were  few  on  board  who  gave  even  a  passing 
thought  to  this  physical  breathing  of  the  earth,  nor  to  the 
invisible  moisture  ascending  by  evaporation.  The  majority 
thought  no  more  of  it  than  they  did  of  their  own  individual 
breathing ;  they  took  it  as  a  matter  of  course,  no  more,  no  less. 
They  had,  however,  other  impressions,  quite  as  mundane,  and 
equally  apparent.  Some  sought  impressions  from  watching 
card-sharpers  in  the  smoking-room;  others  by  listening  to 
fluent  talkers  who  really  abused  good  natural  endowments  by 
promiscuous  discussion  of  any  and  every  subject  that  came 
up ;  men  who  did  not  hesitate  an  instant  to  suggest  what  they 
considered  to  be  improvements  upon  nature.  The  conceit  of 
some  seemed  indeed  colossal,  especially  when  they,  too,  waved 
their  arms  about,  forming  contour  lines  over  curved  ideas,  to 
carry  their  impressions  far  beyond  the  briny  deep.  Even 
such,  however,  were  really  small  harmless  game  compared  to 
what  Mrs.  Cultus  soon  encountered. 


64  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 


IX 

A  BUDGET  OF  NEW  SCIENCES 

PREVIOUS  to  leaving  home  Mrs.  Cultus  had  flattered 
herself  she  was  taking  the  Professor  abroad  to  obtain 
rest  from  his  arduous  scientific  pursuits — alas !  only 
to  find  herself  at  once  in  a  very  vortex  of  new  sciences  and 
arts,  so-called.  Authorities  discussed  Ping  Pong  as  an  art, 
also  skittles,  and  the  nomenclature  of  golf  was  quite  enough 
in  matter  of  differentiations  to  establish  it  as  a  science.  Then 
there  were  new  methods  in  the  practice  of  medicine.  Thoughts 
warranted  to  cure  were  for  sale  under  the  title  of  Mental 
Science ; — and  even  a  religious  science,  said  to  be  popular  and 
quite  new  to  the  orthodox  Science  of  Religions.  All  were  on 
board  and  much  in  evidence. 

None  of  these  things  would  have  much  troubled  the  Pro- 
fessor, but  to  Mrs.  Cultus  they  afforded  a  glorious  opportunity 
to  pick  up  odd  bits  of  information.  She  herself  was  certainly 
not  suffering  from  fatigue  from  the  perusal  of  scientific  publi- 
cations, so  when  the  book  of  experience  opened  a  chapter  new 
to  her,  written  by  folk  who  prided  themselves  upon  the  espe- 
cial efficacy  of  their  own  mental  efforts,  why,  that  appealed  as 
the  sort  of  science  and  art  quite  in  her  line  rather  than  the 
Professor's.  Having  no  lack  of  worldly  wisdom  in  her  own 
mentality  she  at  once  took  her  stand.  With  regard  to  any 
new  phase  of  religious  science,  so-called,  she  would  be  very 
inquisitive,  not  opinionated,  much  less  dogmatic ;  but  as  to  any 
mental  racket,  scientific  or  otherwise,  she  thought  she  might 
venture  further.     In  fact  ought  to  have  some  opinion  of  her 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  65 

own,  being  entitled  to  it,  ex-officio,  as  a  Professor's  spouse. 
Such  was  Mrs.  Cultus'  point  of  view. 

Matters  were  soon  brought  to  a  focus.  She  overheard  re- 
peated remarks  about  patients  who  had  been  healed  simply 
by  receiving  new  mental  impressions  easily  obtained,  generally 
by  correspondence,  fixed  charge,  five  dollars  for  epistolary 
impression.  Some  one  who  had  been  victimized  had  told  her 
of  a  bushel-basket  full  of  impressions  shipped  by  mail  each 
day  from  a  single  office. 

"There  must  be  some  good  ones  in  the  lot,"  thought  Mrs. 
Cultus.     "We  must  investigate  a  little." 

Then  she  heard  of  others  cured  by  thought-transference, 
either  with  or  without  faith, — and  finally  of  cures  which  tax 
credulity  to  extreme  limits  of  sanity,  namely,  by  the  persua- 
sive efficacy  of  belief,  even  in  spite  of  the  Creator  Father's 
natural  laws  to  the  contrary,  as  if  natural  laws  were  inade- 
quate to  suit  the  Creator's  purpose.  Surely  enough  this  to 
excite  Mrs.  Cultus'  curiosity.  "What's  the  use  of  travelling 
unless  you  take  things  in,  without  being  taken  in  yourself  ?" — 
and  she  determined  to  caution  her  daughter.  "Adele,  my 
dear,  when  your  father  and  I  first  crossed  the  ocean  together, 
some  time  since,  before  you  appeared,  the  ship's  company 
contained  many  pilgrims  from  a  sacred  shrine,  very  sacred 
and  very  profitable.  We  then  heard  much  about  cures.  If 
I  mistake  not  I  have  yet  a  bottle  of  the  sacred  water  from 
that  European  shrine,  stowed  away  in  our  medicine  closet, 
warranted  to  be  very  efficacious  to  the  faithful." 

"Did  you  ever  test  its  efficacy  ?"  asked  Adele. 

"Well,  to  be  frank,  I  never  saw  it  used  except  just  previous 
to  funerals,  which  struck  me  as  rather  late  in  the  day.  It 
certainly  acted  like  a  sedative  upon  those  who  administered 
it,  but  that's  another  matter.  What  I  was  going  to  remark 
is,  that  to-day  the  tide  of  curative  waters  seems  to  flow  all  the 
other  way.  America  does  the  quick-cure  business  whether 
the  patient  is  faithful  or  not." 


GG  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDExVLIST 

"Well,  that's  certainly  great  gain  for  the  medicine,"  re- 
marked Miss  Winchester.     Mrs.  Cultus  continued : 

"Yes,  indeed;  one  might  have  guessed  Americans  would 
introduce  improvements  in  the  system.  I  always  did  helieve 
in  practical  science,  practical  metaphysics  they  call  it  now, 
and  all  that  sort  of  thing,  specially  when  the  thing  looks  a 
little  mysterious  to  hegin  with, — it  clears  out  the  system." 

"Whose  system?  What  system?"  wondered  Miss  Win- 
chester, "the  medicine's  or  the  patient's  ?"  but  she  said  noth- 
ing, and  smiled  inwardly  as  Mrs.  Cultus  continued  her 
drolling. 

"But  tell  me,  are  the  new  medicines  proprietary,  patented, 
or  merely  bottles  for  sale,  duly  authenticated  like  the  old  bot- 
tles? I  wonder  if  it  would  be  safe  to  put  some  of  this  new 
wine,  beg  pardon,  curative  water,  into  the  old  bottles?" 

"Oh,  dear  no  !"  exclaimed  Miss  Winchester,  promptly.  "All 
medicines  are  quite  out  of  date.  All  you  have  to  do  is  to 
think  you  think,  pay  the  price,  and  there  you  are — cured.  I 
was  cured  myself." 

"Why,  bless  me,  child!  of  what?" 

"Nothing  serious — merely  of  my  former  impression." 

"What  was  your  impression  of  an  impressionist,  Frank?'* 
said  Adele,  laughing.  "I  don't  believe  all  of  them  are  quacks, 
certainly  not  until  I  first  hear  what  they  have  to  say." 

Now  Miss  Winchester,  being  of  the  literary  craft,  indulged 
in  methods  not  unlike  those  practiced  by  the  Doctor  in  con- 
nection with  his  palmistry  pranks.  They  both  were  much 
given  to  observing  individuals  whose  outward  appearance  sug- 
gested a  personality  from  whom  they  could  learn  something. 
Studying  types,  the  Doctor  called  it ;  studying  human  nature, 
Miss  Winchester  considered  it.  All  was  grist  that  came  to 
their  mill,  good,  bad,  and  even  the  indifferent,  cranks  and 
amiables  included.  It  so  happened  that  in  the  course  of  her 
study  of  human  nature  Miss  Winchester  had  encountered  a 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  67 

pronounced  specimen  of  the  genns  Professoress,  said  to  occupy 
the  chair  of  Thought-Cure  in  a  would-he  Sanitorium-TJni- 
versity.  This  had  been  some  time  ago.  What  was  her  sur- 
prise now  to  find  said  Professoress  on  board,  occupying  a  deck- 
chair  among  the  innocents  abroad.  Not  wishing  to  claim  any 
acquaintance  (having  already  written  her  up  in  an  article 
upon  "The  Inside  Cure")  imless  forced  to  do  so,  she  had 
avoided  a  meeting.  It  had  been  this  same  individual  of  whom 
she  had  thought  when  telling  Mrs.  Cultus  of  her  own  cure; 
and  as  luck  would  have  it,  there  the  healer  appeared, — on  deck, 
in  a  chair,  quite  near  them  when  Adele  innocently  asked  for 
an  impression  of  an  impressionist. 

Not  wishing,  however,  to  disclose  this  coincidence  until  she 
could  lead  up  to  it  after  her  own  fashion,  Miss  Winchester 
kept  one  eye  upon  the  occupant  of  the  chair,  and  the  other 
upon  Professor  Cultus,  and  yet  answered  Adele  at  the  same 
time;  all  of  which  goes  to  show  that  she  herself  was  some- 
what of  an  expert  in  impressions,  and  in  leading  others  up  to 
them;  observing  others  while  not  herself  perceived.  When 
she  was  ready  she  replied : 

"No,  Adele,  I  do  not  believe  they  are  all  quacks ;  but  I  do 
believe  in  nerves  and  hysterics.  There  is  such  a  thing  as  self- 
deception  ; — the  little  tin-Solomon  within  the  most  of  us  does  ^ 
sometimes  assert  himself ; — you  know  the  saying,  'Everybody's 
crazy  except  you  and  me,  and  you're  a  little  off !'  I  certainly 
believe  in  nerves  and  hysteria." 

"What  has  that  got  to  do  with  it?"  asked  Mrs.  Cultus, 
curious. 

"May  I  refer  to  the  Professor?"  quoth  Miss  Winchester, 
blandly. 

Professor  Cultus  thus  unwillingly  drawn  in,  gave  some 
points  simply  as  the  quickest  way  to  get  rid  of  the  talking. 
"There  is  a  class  of  disease  known  as  hysteria,  nervous,  yet 
involving  no  recognizable  anatomical  hurt,  wound  or  injury. 


68  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

The  nervous  system  plays  a  very  important  part  in  the  prob- 
lem, and  nerves,  you  know,  affect  mentality. 

"No  doubt  of  it,  my  dear,"  interrupted  Mrs.  Cultus;  "a 
pinch  always  makes  me  start  up  as  nervous  as  a  witch,  and  I 
never  could  talk  sense  during  an  electric  storm.  I  feel  nerv- 
ous now  just  to  think  of  it." 

The  Professor  continued :  ''To  meddle  unadvisedly  with 
the  nervous  system  is  dangerous ;  yet  with  shrewd  sense  based 
upon  clinical  observation  it  is  possible  to  perfect  cures." 

"Not  without  some  smelling  salts,"  chimed  in  Mrs.  Cultus, 
laughing.  "But  bless  me !  are  these  new  doctors  experts  like 
that?" 

"Specialists  in  the  shrewd-sense  department,"  remarked 
Miss  Winchester.     "Please  go  on,  Professor  Cultus." 

'^hen  mental  science  encounters  cases  of  hysteria,  it  is 
quite  possible  a  cure  may  be  accomplished  now  and  then,  but 
from  the  standpoint  of  what  you  would  call  orthodox  treat- 
ment, mental  derangement  of  any  kind  requires  most  careful 
consideration  and  perhaps  prolonged  treatment  in  the  full 
light  of  scientific  research.  To  attempt  such  practice  irregu- 
larly is  to  court  the  consequences  of  ignorance,  or  perhaps 
worse,  really  to  injure  the  patient." 

"Oh,  I  imderstand  it  perfectly!"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Cultus. 
"I  might  be  accidentally  cured  by  irregular  treatment,  but 
would  not  stay  cured.  My  dear,  I  prefer  to  be  orthodox. 
Adele,  where  are  my  salts?  Look  in  that  bag,  please, — I 
haven't  used  them  for  some  time." 

"Nonsense,  Mother !  You're  cured  already  and  don't  want 
any  salting,  the  sea  air  is  quite  enough ; — ^nor  do  I  believe  that 
all  mental  scientists  have  the  hysterics,  I  mean  their  patients 
haven't." 

"No,  indeed!"  said  the  sprightly  Frank  Winchester;  "it 
is  those  who  are  cured  who  had  the  hysterics  or  something 
equivalent;  and  the  practitioners  who  now  have  the  shrewd 
sense  and  cash  perquisite, — T  know  from  experience." 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  69 

"What!  Oh,  my!"  exclaimed  Adele,  "you  have  the  hys- 
terics !  Frank,  I  should  never  have  accused  you  of  such  ac- 
complishments," then,  as  if  musing:  "Isn't  it  strange  that 
when  you  begin  to  describe  an  ache,  so  many  others  soon  find 
they  have  the  same  thing.     Mild  case  I  suppose,  Frank  ?" 

Miss  Winchester  enjoyed  immensely  this  little  rap ;  but  hav- 
ing been  caught  concluded  to  make  the  next  sensational  re- 
mark more  specific. 

"I'm  thankful  to  say,  in  my  case  there  was  no  hysterics ; — 
but  I  did  visit  a  mental  science  center,  where  'vibrations'  were 
said  to  radiate  marvellously.  I  went  there  on  strictly  pro- 
fessional business,  to  hunt  up  a  case,  and  on  arriving  was  re- 
ceived by — by " 

The  speaker  came  to  a  sudden  halt,  her  eyes  fixed  upon  a 
remarkable  individual,  the  Professoress,  now  standing  by  the 
deck-rail,  overlooking  the  sea ; — a  short,  very  stout  personage 
under  a  broad-brimmed  hat  decorated  with  enough  feathers  to 
have  plumed  a  male  ostrich  in  the  month  of  January.  Her 
attendant,  a  tall,  slender  man  with  long  neck,  sharp  eyes,  and 
gold  eye-glasses.  Fortunately  the  couple  stood  far  enough 
away  to  be  out  of  hearing,  or  Miss  Winchester  would  not  have 
continued : 

"Speak  of  angels  !  there  she  is  herself !  She  of  the  winged 
thoughts !  the  redoubtable  Angelica  Thorn,  popularly  known 
as  'Madame,'  the  honorary  title  conferred  exclusively  by  the 
Sanitorium-University.  You  may  not  believe  it,  but  that  im- 
pressive angel  with  wings  in  her  hat  and  honorary  degree  on 
her  own  University  register,  is  gifted  with  a  marvellous  power 
of  radiating  thoughts, — her  words  fly  up  but  thoughts  remain 
below,  credited  with  realizing  thousands  of  dollars  per  annum 
by  giving  and  taking  mental  impressions,  sent  and  received 
by  the  bushel-basket  full,  all  by  mail."  Mrs.  Cultus  put  up 
her  lorgnette  to  see  if  any  ships  were  passing  in  that  direction 
— then  whispered : 

"You  surely  don't  mean  that  person  with  flowing  tresses  and 


70  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

all  those  waving  plumes  ?  She's  Milesian  Frinch,  not  Parisian 
French.     You  can't  deceive  me.     And  what  is  she  here  for  ?" 

Mrs.  Thorn  had  taken  off  her  hat;  the  tall,  slim  attendant 
held  it ;  while  she,  resting  both  elbows  on  the  rail,  and  her  chin 
on  her  wrists,  gazed  out  o'er  the  mighty  deep. 

"The  pose  is  certainly  cherubic,"  remarked  Mrs.  Cultus, 
cynical. 

"No  doubt  she  is  radiating  now,"  remarked  Frank  Win- 
chester. Adele  noticed  her  hair  parted  on  one  side,  and  plas- 
tered flat  over  the  temples,  also  wavy  ringlets  round  her  neck. 

The  Doctor,  who  thus  far  had  not  taken  any  part  in  this  im- 
pressionistic seance,  no  sooner  observed  her  hands  exposed  to 
display  an  unusual  assortment  of  rings  glistening  in  the  sun- 
light, than  he  concluded  his  turn  for  investigation  had  arrived. 
Possibly  here  palmistry  might  be  in  order, — and  diamond  cut 
diamond.  There  might  be  some  real  sport  in  it.  Before  the 
others  noticed,  he  sauntered  off  towards  the  couple.  Little  did 
he  then  realize  the  consequences. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST  71 


X 

PALMISTRY  POSES  AS  MENTAL  SCIENCE 

IT  was  not  difficult  for  the  Doctor  to  obtain  an  interview, 
and  this  without  really  introducing  himself,  simply 
by  some  casual  remark  suggested  by  the  surroundings. 
He  soon  succeeded  in  directing  conversation  away  from  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  and  called  attention  to  objects  at  a  distance, 
of  course  interjecting  the  highly  original  remark  that  distance 
lends  enchantment.  Mrs.  Thorn  at  once  appreciated  the  en- 
chantment part  of  the  proceedings,  and  pointed  with  her  fore- 
finger at  certain  objects  as  not  being  exactly  what  they 
seemed, — thereby  illustrating  what  was  really  more  important 
for  the  Doctor  to  find  out,  namely,  that  she  had  no  real  ob- 
jection from  refinement  of  feeling  to  specify  given  objects  by 
pointing  at  them.  If  she  did  appreciate  enchantment,  so- 
called,  she  was  certainly  very  practical  in  its  application. 
From  the  Doctor's  point  of  view  this  was  simply  "delicious" 
on  her  part,  and  made  him  more  blandly-persuasive-apprecia- 
tive than  ever.  Within  five  minutes  more  he  had  Mrs.  Thorn 
and  her  attendant  both  pointing  at  various  features,  clouds, 
waves,  ripples,  a  passing  ship,  the  capstan  and  the  captain's 
signals,  anything,  in  fact,  that  would  cause  them  to  use  their 
hands ;  even  soiled  spots  on  the  hand-rail  and  some  very  sticky 
tar  on  a  rope  he  made  them  avoid  touching  by  withdrawing 
their  hands,  any  movement,  in  fact,  that  would  show  both 
the  form  and  action  of  their  hands  in  connection  with  the 
spoken  words, — the  hands    suiting   the  action   to  the   word 


i'J 


A  TWENTIETH  CEXTUEY  IDEALIST 


(thoughts).  Mrs.  Thorn  was,  in  fact,  betraying  herself  by 
every  word  and  action,  and  the  expert  Doctor  reading  "the 
natural  tendencies  of  the  individuals"  as  if  an  open  book. 

The  Cultus  group  privately  watched  these  proceedings. 
Paul  and  Adele,  with  heads  rather  close  together,  having  their 
own  fun,  Paul  imitating  the  Doctor,  and  interjecting  the 
platitudes-of-humbuggery  he  had  often  heard  the  Doctor  use 
before  in  similar  palmistry  cases. 

"You  are  a  person  with  strong  social  instincts/'  remarked 
Paul,  wise  as  an  owl. 

"Yes  !  not  a  hermit, — thanks !"  said  Adele. 

"Very  popular.  Lot  of  fellows  might  fall  in — h'm! — 
admiration  of  you." 

"Thanks  again,  but  don't  look  at  me,  watch  the  Doctor." 

The  Doctor  was  peering  into  Mrs.  Thorn's  hand,  which  she 
held  out  to  him  with  evident  satisfaction.  Of  course  Paul 
seized  Adele's  hand  while  watching. 

What  was  the  Doctor  examining  with  such  apparent  inter- 
est? In  general  terms,  a  short  fleshy  hand,  soft,  with  thin 
skin,  and  ruddy  color  easily  suppressed  or  caused  under  press- 
ure. Fingers  only  slightly  tapering,  with  tips  of  the  well 
known  "useful"  curve  when  viewed  from  the  under  side,  yet 
curiously  suggestive  of  the  spatulate  when  seen  from  the  back. 
Thumb  well  proportioned  and  turning  back  spontaneously 
with  considerable  self-assertion.  But  most  noticeable  of  all, 
where  the  roots  of  the  fingers  joined  the  palm,  materialism 
developed  to  an  exceptional  degree,  almost  of  the  "elementary" 
type.  A  combination  more  curious  than  rare,  designating 
certain  womanly  instincts  likely  to  operate  by  methods  pre- 
sumably masculine  in  character.  It  was  not  easy  to  formulate 
a  specific  diagnosis  until  after  hearing  such  a  person  converse 
on  subjects  about  which  she  had  had  an  interested  experience, 
for  no  mortal  could  reasonably  conjecture,  not  even  she  her- 
self, how  things  would  go  eventually.  Certainly  a  woman  of 
the  world  with  strong  emotions,  no  doubt  loquacious  at  times. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  73 

yet  a  very  clear  head  when  it  came  to  action;  and  material 
results  never  lost  sight  of.  Strange  to  say,  however,  the  hands 
themselves  were  soon  forgotten,  attention  being  drawn  to 
their  adornment.  The  woman  had  an  inordinate  passion  for 
precious  gems.  Mrs.  Thorn  wore  upon  each  hand  exquisite 
rings,  superb  stones  set  in  excellent  taste,  but  rather  a  mixture 
when  displayed  together.  The  usual  solitaires,  also  set  with 
sapphires  of  peculiar  peacock  hue;  a  changeable  alexandrite, 
and  a  ruby  amid  emeralds  as  leaves,  evidently  some  color- 
scheme  taken  direct  from  nature;  not  a  topaz  nor  white  sap- 
phire among  the  lot,  and  evidently  the  wearer  knew  cat's-eyes 
from  Norwegian  opals,  even  if  others  did  not.  Even  these, 
however,  were  secondary  to  a  fire-opal  of  true  Indian  irrides- 
cence.  A  cleft-opal,  that  mysterious  gem  so  suggestive  to 
mystics  in  all  climes.  The  light  came  from  within  the  stone, 
through  an  irregular  cleft,  the  exterior  still  rough; — by  no 
means  a  conspicuous  ornament,  but  when  the  eye  upon  close 
examination  penetrated  the  cleft,  the  mysterious  interior  was 
ablaze  with  variegated  colors.  It  was  this  fire-opal  the  Doctor 
was  examining  when  Adele  caught  him  holding  the  impres- 
sionist hand.  The  Cultus  group  saw  little  more  of  the  Doctor 
until  after-dinner-promenade  on  deck;  he  was  occupied  with 
Mrs.  Thorn.  Then  Miss  Winchester  at  once  applied  at  the 
bureau  of  information. 

"What  are  the  probabilities,  Doctor  Wise  ?  mystic,  or  merely 
gymnastic  ?    One  must  never  judge  by  appearances,  of  course, 

but "  and  Miss  Winchester  gave  a  little  cough  to  suggest 

her  impression. 

"Oh,  a  very  interesting  case, — very  intelligent  and  thor- 
oughly practical.  She  talks  mysticism  like  a  California  the- 
osophist,  but  acts  like  a  cool-headed  politician.  Her  thoughts 
are  about  mysticism  in  its  useful  aspects ;  her  words  mystical 
because  a  good  business  method  for  her ;  and  her  acts  business- 
like, very,  from  the  mystical  point  of  view.  How  do  you  like 
that  for  a  type?" 


74  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"Evidently  interesting  to  talk  to, — also  good  to  keep  clear 
of,  in  business,"  thought  Miss  Winchester. 

"So  that's  what  you  palm-cranks  call  a  mixed  type!"  ex- 
claimed Mrs.  Cultus.    "I  call  her  variegated." 

"Oh,  of  course  she  is  bound  to  be  contradictory,  in  appear- 
ance at  least,  at  odd  times,"  said  the  Doctor.  "Moody  as  a 
mystic,  dogmatic  as  a  sectarian  theologian,  and  will  take  risks 
like  a  Wall  Street  speculator.  She  is  made  that  way,  she  is 
constitutionally  so.  Oh,  yes,  she  is  a  bundle  of  mystical  im- 
pressions held  together  by  very  clear  ideas  of  what  she  wants, 
also  has  fearless  business  methods  to  obtain  it.  The  seeming 
contradiction  is  more  apparent  than  real,  however." 

"How  about  those  rings  ?"  quizzed  Adele,  when  Paul's  back 
was  turned. 

"Well,  only  one  thing  worth  remembering.  She  wears  her 
largest  upon  her  forefinger,  the  most  conspicuous  position 
possible,  a  sure  sign  of — ^but  let  that  pass." 

"No,  Doctor!  no  passing  allowed  in  this  game — just  tell 
me,  but  please  don't  tell  Paul,  or  I  shall  never  hear  the  end, 
no  matter  what  it  is ;"  and  she  put  her  arm  in  the  Doctor's, 
drawing  him  off  for  a  deck  promenade. 

"Well,  my  dear,  if  you  must  know,  the  woman  can't  help 
advertising  herself, — a  most  unrefined  quality  in  woman,  to 
my  notion.  Men,  you  know,  no  matter  how  much  they  may 
do  it  themselves,  generally  detest  that  sort  of  thing  in  women. 
That's  one  way  in  which  her  feminine  instinct  for  apprecia- 
tion takes  a  somewhat  masculine  form  in  action.  I  could  only 
find  it  out  surely  by  conversation  with  her.  Now  I  expect  to 
hear  of  her  some  day  as  President  of  the  International  Im- 
pressionists' Mental-Mystic  Board  of  Trade.  She  will  make 
a  good  thing  of  it  and  possibly  then  disappear,  mystically." 

Adele  shuddered.  The  Doctor  felt  the  motion  on  his  arm. 
Evidently  that  sort  of  talk  was  antipathetic  to  Adele. 

After  a  little  while  she  asked  quietly: 

"Does  she  presume  to  practice  when  travelling?" 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST  75 

"I  should  not  be  surprised  if  she  were  at  it  now.  She  told 
me  there  was  a  patient  on  board  whom  she  knew  she  could 
cure,  whether  he  had  faith  or  not."     Adele  twitched  again, 

"That  sort  of  thing  ought  to  be  counteracted  in  some  way. 
I've  not  served  in  a  hospital  without  learning  at  least  that 
much.    But  here !    Oh,  what  can  we  do  ?" 


76  A  TWENTIETH  CENTUKY  IDEALIST 


XI 

AMATEUR  MENTAL  SCIENCE 

MANY  on  board  had  noticed  an  invalid  who  took  his 
airing  in  a  rolling  chair.  It  seemed  very  natural 
that  he  should  appear  melancholy  at  times,  for  he 
was  said  to  he  partially  helpless,  in  fact  paralyzed  on  one  side. 
This  was  the  unfortunate  Mr.  Onset,  whom  Mrs.  Thorn 
desired  to  treat  according  to  the  impressionistic  methods  of 
the  Mental-Mystic  University-Sanitorium. 

How  it  came  to  be  rumored  that  she  had  obtained  his  con- 
sent and  that  he  was  already  acting  under  her  direction  is 
really  of  little  moment,  for  the  fact  soon  became  evident, — Mr. 
Onset  himself  willingly  alluded  to  it.  He  explained  that  after 
trying  many  regular  physicians  he  was  about  to  visit  certain 
baths  on  the  Continent  when  he  incidentally  met  Mrs.  Thorn, 
and  was  only  too  glad  to  avail  himself,  in  passing,  of  any  hope- 
ful aid;  especially  since  "the  method  required  no  medicines 
which  might  interfere  with  subsequent  treatment  at  the  Spa, 
and  demanded  no  faith," — of  the  latter  commodity  he  had 
little  left  to  give  to  any  system  whatsoever.  Mr.  Onset  was 
certainly  trying  conscientiously  to  be  frank  with  himself. 

The  next  thing  known  was  that  Mrs.  Thorn  had  held  a  good 
orthodox  business-mystic  interview  properly  to  diagnose  the 
case;  and  had  given  the  patient  some  .published  articles  to 
read,  the  wording  of  which  was  most  dexterously  adapted  to 
excite  curiosity  for — what  next ;  and  later  on  some  manuscript 
letters  to  be  perused  when  alone,  the  lights  turned  low  so  that 
no  one  else  could  read  them  by  looking  over  his  shoulder,  nor 
find  out  how  he  kept  them  next  the  fifth-rib-covering  of  his 
heart.    These  latter  letters  must  be  made  mysterious,  simply 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST  77 

because  they  communicated  to  the  patient  the  mystical  line  of 
thought  he  was  to  follow  while  the  Commandant  of  the 
Thought  Center  sat  in  her  state-room  meditating. 

"Oh  !  I  know  exactly  how  it  works !"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Cultus. 

"How?    What?"  asked  Miss  Winchester,  laughing. 

"Why,  lying  in  your  state-room  bunk,  meditating.  I  know 
the  whole  business,  so  does  the  steward.  He  brings  me  cham- 
pagne in  one  hand  and  porridge-mush  in  the  other.  He  reads 
my  thoughts  perfectly." 

What  the  printed  matter  given  to  Mr.  Onset  contained  was 
soon  known  all  over  the  ship, — an  excellent  advertisement; 
what  the  written  pages  contained  Onset  kept  to  himself,  as 
if  the  subject-matter  was  rather  too  personal  for  discussion  in 
either  the  men's  or  women's  smoking  departments. 

Mutual  meditations  continued,  however ;  mental  impressions 
were  presumably  radiating,  the  vibrations  presumably  acting 
in  a  marvellous  manner,  having  been  promised  to  take  a 
straight  course  direct  from  the  state-room  bunk  to  Mr.  Onset's 
legs  and  none  other,  which  certainly  was  a  vast  improvement 
upon  the  expansion  method  of  wireless  telegraphy  in  communi- 
cating thoughts.  And  this  even  if  the  paralysis  did  remain  as 
evident  as  before. 

Yet  curious  to  relate,  these  mysterious  vibrations  certainly 
did  expand  with  most  positive  effects  upon  others ;  Mrs.  Cultus 
continually  on  the  lookout  for  substantial  results,  Frank  Win- 
chester jotting  down  absurd  nctes  as  they  flew  by,  Paul  con- 
tinually vibrating  between  Adele  and  what  she  wanted.  This 
until  Adele  asked  if  there  was  any  book  in  the  library  upon 
"Practical  Metaphysics."  Then  Paul  flunked,  and  sat  down 
beside  her.    As  to  the  Doctor 

One  morning  he  and  the  Professor  inquired  of  the  patient 
how  he  was  progressing : 

"Slowly,"  said  Mr.  Onset.  "I  still  have  little  hope,  but  I 
certainly  caught  a  new  idea." 

Onset's  voice  was  unquestionably  melancholy,  from  his  own 


■yS  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

point  of  view, — but  not  of  that  peculiar  timbre,  nor  in  any 
degree  involved,  as  might  reasonably  be  expected  from  a  par- 
tially helpless  paralytic. 

''There  is  something  strange  about  that  fellow,"  remarked 
the  Doctor. 

"I  think  so  myself,  but  have  not  defined  it  as  yet,"  added 
the  Professor. 

"Did  you  ever  observe  a  man  paralyzed  on  the  right  side 
who  could  speak  as  he  does,  to  say  nothing  of  his  power  to 
talk  and  converse  connectedly  and  with  ease  ?" 

Their  conversation  naturally  became  more  technical  than 
is  desirable  in  this  record,  but  it  may  be  remarked  that  Profes- 
sor Cultus'  mode  of  thought  displayed  an  insight  into  the 
nature  of  mental  processes  in  general,  from  the  standpoint  of 
the  modern  psychology ;  whereas  the  Doctor  accentuated  certain 
facts  he  had  observed  in  Mr.  Onset  in  particular.  The  Profes- 
sor, very  careful  in  what  he  stated  and  very  cautious  as  to  con- 
clusions ;  the  Doctor  intensely  appreciative,  and  ultra  sanguine 
as  to  results.  The  Professor  much  better  informed  as  to  how 
details  of  anatomy  were  supposed  to  work ;  the  Doctor  under- 
standing how  they  actually  had  worked  in  cases  he  had 
observed.  They  were,  each  of  them,  truth-seeking; — the  Pro- 
fessor exceptionally  explicit  as  to  the  anatomy,  nerves,  nerve- 
centers  ;  especially  clear  as  to  "a  veritable  nerve-center  having 
a  strange  domination  over  the  memory  of  articulating  words." 
The  Doctor  insisted  that  Onset  ought  to  manifest  phenomena 
different  from  what  he  did  if  he  suffered  from  veritable  paraly- 
sis. Both  being  sure  that  paralysis  of  the  right  side  of  the  body 
is  undoubtedly  connected  by  the  nervous  system  with  the  left 
side  of  the  brain;  the  careful  Professor  would  not  commit 
himself  further  as  to  Onset's  case;  the  sanguine  Doctor  did 
so  at  once : 

"Onset  is  paralyzed  on  the  right  side.  The  organs  of  speech 
in  his  case  are  not  affected,  yet  if  speech  should  be  affected, 
and  is  not,  what  becomes  of  the  paralysis  ?" 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  79 

A  twinkle  in  the  Doctor's  eye  as  he  said  this  was  noticed 
by  the  Professor. 

"You  seem  to  have  discovered  something,"  said  the  Pro- 
fessor, smiling. 

Another  twinkle  in  the  Doctor's  eye.  "Rather!  I  think 
it  mast  be  another  opportunity  for  the  palmistry  hum- 
bug. Mrs.  Thorn  and  he  are  a  pair,  complementary,  posi- 
tive and  negative.  He  a  good  subject,  for  her,  perhaps  a 
medium  and  all  that  sort  of  thing." 

"Go  tell  it  to  the  marines  on  board,"  said  the  Professor, 
laughing,  as  the  Doctor  hurried  off  to  find  Onset. 

Onset's  hands  amused  the  Doctor  greatly.  He  found  vital- 
ity much  stronger  than  he  had  expected,  but  much  less  vivid 
characteristics  of  health: — color  thin,  action  weak;  texture 
smooth,  fingers  pointed;  palm  hollow  and  much  crossed; 
groups  of  little  lines  on  certain  mounts  (versatility)  ;  a  fine 
development  of  a  certain  part  of  the  hand  (imagination,  Mount 
Luna)  ;  thumb  lacking  in  force  of  will,  just  the  opposite  to 
Mrs.  Thorn;  in  fact,  a  number  of  details  which  in  combina- 
tion might  be  read  several  ways,  but  invariably  showing 
marked  susceptibility  to  fleeting  impressions,  mental-sensitive- 
ness,— an  active  mind  yet  unstable  characteristics,  a  liability 
to  vagaries  of  some  sort ; — the  natural  tendencies  of  the  indi- 
vidual also  suggested  in  certain  directions, — but  let  that  pass. 

Yes.  Onset's  hands  were  amusing.  The  Doctor  would  not 
assert  that  the  man  was  actually  hipped  then  and  there,  but 
there  was  ample  chanc3  that  he  should  be  if  circumstances  led 
that  way,  the  conditions  favorable.  He  was  just  such  a 
patient  as  Mrs.  Thorn  might  succeed  in  curing.  And  then 
came  the  gist  of  the  whole  situation : 

If  Mrs.  Thorn,  why  not  anyone  else?  provided  a  counter- 
impression  was  given,  vivid  and  forcible  enough  to  convince 
the  patient  in  spite  of  himself. 

That  afternoon  found  the  Doctor,  Miss  Winchester,  Adele 
and  Paul,  putting  their  heads  together,  mysteriously  cogitat- 


80  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

ing;  evidently  a  plot  on  hand  to  give  Mr.  Onset  another 
new  idea. 

"It  can  do  no  harm  and  may  do  the  poor  fellow  some  good," 
whispered  the  optimistic  Doctor.  "Adele,  your  father  will  find 
it  out  soon  enough  himself,  so  we  needn't  bother  him  just  yet. 
In  case  of  a  rumpus  the  Professor  will  be  just  the  one  to  fall 
back  upon.  He  told  me  to  go  to  the  marines ;  we'll  make  him 
our  guardian  angel, — our  marine." 

Adele,  laughing,  wondered  how  angelic  her  father  would 
appear  acting  as  a  marine. 

"Remember!"  whispered  the  Doctor,  "all  at  your  stations 
when  the  invalid  is  brought  down  to  his  stateroom  to  retire 
at  nine  o'clock  this  evening, — now  don't  forget.  You  see 
we've  got  to  catch  an  idea  before  it  gets  away  from  us, — quick 
work ;"  and  the  chief  conspirator  bustled  off  to  find  Onset. 

"There's  nothing  like  having  a  patient  toned  up  previous  to 
an  operation,"  said  the  Doctor,  musing.  "If  we  can  succeed 
in  directing  the  mind  previously,  and  put  him  in  a  proper 
mood  to  receive  the  impression,  the  work  will  be  well  under 
way  before  he  himself  is  aware  of  it.  Mrs.  Thorn  seems  quite 
an  adept  at  preliminary  work, — correct,  but  the  preliminaries 
may  reasonably  include  a  counter-irritant.  If  we  can  produce 
premonitory  suggestions  leading  up  to  an  idea,  the  impression 
will  have  a  better  chance  to  operate,  the  idea  to  cure  in  its 
own  way." 

"How  are  you  this  afternoon,  Mr.  Onset?"  and  he  took  a 
seat  near  the  invalid. 

"Not  much  encouraged.  No  doubt  Mrs.  Thorn  is  think- 
ing the  thing  out  in  her  room; — can't  say  I  feel  any  worse, 
and  that  may  be  her  doings ;  but  really  this  arm  and  leg  are 
still  so  helpless  that  possibly  when  I  retire  tonight  I  ought  to 
remain  in  my  berth  to  give  her  a  better  chance." 

"'Not  if  I  know  it,"  thought  the  Doctor;  then  audibly, 
"Would  you  oblige  me  by  attempting  to  stand  up,  if  only  on 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  81 

one  foot,  and  allow  me  to  support  your  weak  side, — just  for 
the  effort?" 

"It's  no  use,  my  dear  sir,  not  the  slightest;  I  can't  move, 
for  the  life  of  me.    I  only  wish  I  could." 

"Then  let  me  roll  your  chair  for  a  turn  or  two,"  and  without 
waiting  for  a  reply  he  gently  moved  Onset  to  a  place  where 
both  could  observe  some  steam  issuing  from  an  aperture. 

"What  complicated  machinery!"  remarked  the  Doctor. 
"This  ship  must  be  a  network  of  pipes,  steam  here  at  the  side, 
and  also  from  the  top  of  the  funnel,  no  doubt  both  connected 
with  the  boilers — boilers  and  live  steam,  live  boilers  and  steam 
everywhere !     Fortunately,  explosions  seldom  occur." 

"What  terrible  things  accidents  must  be,"  quoth  Onset,  evi- 
dently interested  and  nervous ;  "terrible  when  one  is  helpless." 

"Sometimes  not  fatal,"  quoth  the  dismal-cheerful  Doctor; 
"it  frequently  depends  upon  one's  own  exertions  at  the  critical 
moment.  I  was  myself  once  in  a  collision  of  passenger  trains, 
our  car  turned  upside  down — thrown  twenty  feet.  I  lit  head- 
foremost in  one  of  those  overhead  parcel  baskets  which  had 
been  above  my  seat  and  was  now  below.  Fortunately,  I  was 
able  to  pick  himself  up  by  the  seat  of  another  fellow's  breeches, 
and  scrambled  out  through  a  window.  If  I  hadn't  scrambled 
out  that  window  I  should  certainly  have  been  burnt  alive !" 

"Heavens !"  exclaimed  Onset,  "there's  not  even  a  window 
on  this  ship  downstairs  to  crawl  through.  I  should  never  get 
my  leg  through  a  port-hole,  and  probably  be  caught  head  out 
and  legs  in.    Do  you  think  there's  any  danger,  Doctor  ?" 

"Well,  there's  a  good  deal  of  live  steam  under  high  pressure 
about  here;  I  really  don't  know  much  about  steam-fitters' 
work,  but  if  it  were  plumbing  I  should  certainly  say,  yes. 
Thank  fortune,  it  is  not  plumbing,  Mr.  Onset." 

"But  it  is  steam-fitting,"  quoth  Onset,  now  becoming  posi- 
tive, his  mental  process  very  inconsequent,  as  with  many  of  his 
type.  "Now,  Doctor,  I'd  like  to  ask  you  just  one  question, 
seriously  you  know,  strictly  private.     I  ought  not  to  ask  it 


82  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

but  I  really  must,  under  the  circumstances.  Mrs.  Thorn  has 
told  me  considerable  about  vibrations;  now  any  fool  can  see 
that  vibrations  are  not  good  for  steam  pipes,  yet  here  we  are. 
Now  tell  me  frankly,  do  you  think  Mrs.  Thorn's  meditations 
can  affect  or  be  affected  by  all  this  around  us.  She  told  me, 
most  positively,  that  her  meditations  vibrating  to  me  must 

not  leak  out Oh  I  wish  she  would  accelerate  a  little  if 

any  good  is  to  come  of  it." 

The  Doctor  at  once  made  a  plunge  for  his  handkerchief, 
and  blew  his  nose,  enough  to  create  more  vibrations;  then, 

"Well,  Mr.  Onset,  your  perspicacity  is  remarkable;  I  never 
met  anyone  who  detected  possibilities,  aye,  even  probabilities, 
more  quickly  than  3'ou  do."  Onset  felt  flattered,  the  Doctor 
gave  him  time  to  pat  himself  on  the  back,  and  then, 

"But  there's  nothing  like  having  one's  mind  prepared  for 
emergencies.  If  anything  should  happen,  why,  just  call  on  me, 
Mr.  Onset.  Fact  is,  I'm  now  so  accustomed  to  accidents  both 
mental  and  physical  that  when  not  killed  in  the  first  crash  I 
generally  pull  through." 

"Thanks  awfully,  I  certainly  shall.  Doctor,  my  man  James 
is  good  enough  in  ordinary  emergencies,  but  I  doubt  his  use 
in  accidents.  James  !  Jamie !  here,  Jimmy !  take  me  back 
where  I  won't  see  this  steam,  the  odor  and  its  suggestions  are 
both  unpleasant.    Good-bye,  Doctor,  I  must  now  take  a  rest." 

Onset's  organs  of  speech  were  certainly  all  right,  but  his 
mental  apparatus  decidedly  leaky,  and  something  the  matter 
with  his  legs. 

"I  trust  the  preliminary  tonic  may  not  lose  its  effect  before 
nine  p.  m."  mused  the  Doctor  as  he  went  to  report  to  the 
other  conspirators. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  83 


XII 

AMATEUR    TACTICS — A    FRIGHTFUL    CURE 

DINNER  served,  the  conspirators  enjoyed  a  promenade 
on  deck,  keeping  an  eye  upon  Mr.  Onset  and  Mrs. 
Thorn  as  they  sat  conversing.  No  doubt  vibrations 
were  at  work,  the  most  approved  methods  of  the  wonderful 
Mystic  Department  of  the  Sanitorium  Universitasque  mak- 
ing some  sort  of  an  impression;  because,  as  Mrs.  Thorn  re- 
marked afterwards,  "Mr.  Onset  was  already  oscillating  between 
the  old  and  the  new,  and  whenever  that  condition  arose  she 
felt  sure  that  the  preliminary  tendencies  of  the  occult  influ- 
ences towards  a  cure  were  already  taking  effect."  Mrs.  Thorn 
could  be  quite  as  perspicacious  as  the  Doctor  when  she  chose, 
her  theories  decidedly  new  as  well  as  lucid,  in  fact  unique. 

At  last  James  appeared,  to  take  the  patient  to  his  state- 
room ;  this  was  the  signal  for  the  Doctor's  party  to  fly  to  their 
stations.  The  rolling  chair  was  brought  to  one  of  the  narrow 
gangways  leading  directly  to  Mr.  Onset's  quarters  below ;  the 
passage  entered  through  a  door  at  the  top,  the  short  flight  of 
steps  down  closed  by  partitions  on  either  side.  The  chief 
conspirator  noticed  that  when  James  went  off  with  the  patient 
Professor  Cultus  was  engaged  in  conversation  with  Mrs. 
Thorn;  evidently  one  of  those  curious  coincidences  most 
opportune,  which  occult  influences  often  exert  in  favor  of  the 
one  conspired  against.  "Good !"  exclaimed  the  Doctor.  "I 
now  know  where  our  marine-angel  is  to  be  found  when  I  want 
him ;  now  for  an  impression  less  occult." 

When  James  reached  the  head  of  the  gangway,  there  stood 


84  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

the  Doctor,  apparently  by  accident;  and  of  course  he  offered 
to  assist  in  carrying  the  invalid  down  the  steps.  Onset  ap- 
peared more  helpless  than  usual  when,  the  Doctor  supporting 
his  shoulders  and  James  his  feet,  the  trio  began  to  descend. 
If  ever  a  subject  for  treatment  had  weak  legs,  it  was  Onset  at 
that  moment. 

All  progressed  favorably  until  they  reached  the  bottom,  and 
were  about  to  make  the  turn  into  the  state-room  passage; 
"Look  out  for  that  awkward  corner,  James." 

"All  right,  sir !  Keep  his  head  up,  I'll  take  his  feet  round 
first." 

"Go  ahead!"  exclaimed  the  Doctor.     (The  signal.) 

No  sooner  said  than  a  brilliant  flash  of  light  burst  forth, 
a  little  way  ahead  down  the  passage,  accompanied  by  a  hissing 
noise  not  unlike  an  explosion. 

Onset  gave  a  start.  "What's  that?  Look  there!  Oh,  Lord!" 
replied  to  by  shrieks  from  female  voices,  and  a  cloud  of  white 
smoke  with  pungent  odor.  In  an  instant  the  passage  seemed 
filled  with  frightened  voices  and  smoke. 

It  was  merely  some  of  Paul's  photographic  flash-light  pow- 
der, accompanied  by  very  realistic  exclamations  in  conse- 
quence, but  in  such  close  quarters  it  seemed  much  more 
serious. 

"God  help  us !"  cried  Jimmy,  dropping  Onset's  legs  and 
turning  around  to  discover  what  had  happened.  Through  the 
smoke  he  saw  Paul  violently  beating  back  flames  which  came 
from  one  of  the  cross-passages. 

It  was  only  Miss  Winchester  and  Adele,  invisible  behind  the 
angle,  holding  at  arm's  length  some  burning  paper  upon  a 
plate,  but  quite  enough  for  faithful  James.  Seizing  Onset  by 
the  ankles  he  would  probably  have  dragged  him  on  deck  feet 
foremost  if  the  Doctor  had  not  ordered  him  in  sharp  tones : 

"Keep  your  head,  man !  Don't  yell !  I'll  attend  to  this ! 
Go  find  Professor  Cultus  near  the  head  of  the  gangway,  quick ! 
Don't  yell !    It's  bad  enough  as  it  is !" 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUKY  IDEALIST  85 

The  last  remark  settled  Jimmy ;  he  vanished  up  the  steps, 
and  Onset  groaned  at  the  thought  of  being  caught  helpless 
below  decks. 

"Now/'  said  the  Doctor,  quickly  turning  to  the  patient, 
"we've  got  to  hustle — it  looks  like  an  explosion,  near  by! — 
before  a  panic  seizes  the  passengers."  Poor  Onset,  in  the 
narrow  passage  lit  by  the  flames,  seized  the  Doctor  with  a 
grip  of  terrible  fright,  his  well  arm  jerking  the  Doctor  as  if 
he  had  a  spasm.    "For  God's  sake,  don't  leave  me !" 

"I  don't  intend  to,  I'll  stick  by  you,"  said  the  arch  con- 
spirator, "but  you  must  make  an  effort,  too,"  and  he  lifted 
the  fellow  upon  his  feet. 

At  this  instant,  down  the  steps  came  Professor  Cultus  and, 
by  another  prearranged  "coincidence"  to  which  he  was  not  a 
party,  the  door  above  closed  behind  him. 

Darkness  indeed.  The  place  might  prove  a  veritable  death- 
trap, surely,  so  thought  Onset. 

"What  mischief  are  you  up  to?"  exclaimed  the  Professor, 
serious  in  tone,  but  his  countenance  (which  none  could  see) 
somewhat  suspicious  if  not  humorous. 

"Lend  a  hand!"  cried  the  Doctor,  and  then  in  a  whisper, 
"I'm  trying  to  get  an  idea  into  this  chap's  legs Sh !" 

Professor  Cultus  took  hold  of  Onset's  opposite  shoulder,  and 
together  they  turned  him  around,  moved  him  in  an  upright 
position  towards  the  steps.  He  seemed  indeed  helpless,  but 
his  eye  was  now  fixed  toward  that  gangway,  the  way  to  escape. 
To  get  there  and  escape  was  the  only  thought  potent  in  his 
mind.  The  Doctor  turned  and  again  nodded  to  Paul.  Off 
went  another  flash-explosion,  more  pungent  smoke,  the  sort 
of  choking  fumes  that  scare  you  off.  This  time  nearer,  the 
vivid  light  and  more  excited  screams  seemed  hardly  ten  feet 
away. 

Onset  gave  a  plunge  with  his  well  leg,  and  would  certainly 
have  fallen  flat  but  for  his  strong  support. 

"Now  for  it.  Onset,"  urged  the  Doctor,  lifting  the  limp 


86  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

limb,  assisting  to  put  it  on  the  next  step.  Professor  Cultus 
nodded  and  took  the  weight. 

"Now  for  another  step !"  urged  the  Doctor.  Onset  put  his 
well  leg  up  by  his  own  effort,  but  when  the  Doctor  helped  the 
other  to  follow  he  noticed  a  change  for  the  better,  the  para- 
lyzed limb  was  not  quite  such  a  non-active  member  as  before. 
Onset's  fright  and  desire  to  escape  were  getting  their  hold  on 
him  in  spite  of  himself,  his  legs  asserting  and  maintaining 
themselves  without  his  realizing  the  fact  that  paralyzed  legs 
should  not  be  able  to  behave  that  way. 

The  critical  moment  was  approaching,  the  crucial  test,  the 
final  effort  to  force  Onset  to  put  forth  his  whole  strength 
spontaneously  as  for  his  life.  The  closed  door  above  made 
the  passage  still  darker  at  the  top,  the  smoke  from  behind 
made  the  atmosphere  more  oppressive  each  moment.  "Only 
three  more  steps,"  exclaimed  the  Doctor,  "to  burst  through 
that  door  or  be  suffocated."  Onset  heard  this.  The  Doctor 
pressed  his  elbow  against  Professor  Cultus  to  signal  he  was 
now  ready.  The  Professor  gradually  lessened  his  support, 
and  then  quietly  let  go,  slipping  behind  him  to  catch  the  man 
if  he  fell. 

Nothing  of  the  kind  occurred.  Onset  was  so  frantically 
determined  to  get  out  that  he  stood  supported  on  one  side 
only  without  realizing  the  fact,  both  legs  commencing  to  work 
together.  Almost  alone  he  managed  to  force  himself  higher. 
Seizing  the  auspicious  moment  the  Doctor  gave  Paul  the 
final  signal.  Flash  !  hiss-s-s-s-s !  red  lights,  jumping  shad- 
ows ;  cries,  more  jumps ;  something  yellow — ghastly !  "Rush 
for  your  life !"  Onset  and  the  infernal  regions  close  behind 
him,  at  the  foot  of  the  steps ! 

Paul  had  prolonged  the  agony  by  some  red-burning  powder 
from  one  of  the  ship's  signal  lights.  Miss  Winchester  waving 
a  sheet  of  yellow  glass  from  Paul's  photographic  lantern  be- 
fore her  portable  flames — great  effect!  Screams  certainly 
diabolical;  one  could  hear  the  wild  laughter  amid  the  cries. 


A   TWENTIETH   CENTURY   IDEALIST         87 

At  such  close  quarters  none  could  stand  the  racket  a  moment 
longer.  Professor  Cultus,  in  the  thick  of  the  fumes,  was  the 
first  to  protest.  "Open  that  door!  open  I  tell  you,  we'll  be 
smothered !"  which  was  a  fact.  Onset  in  a  spasm  of  despair, 
"Let  me  out !  Let  me  out !"  Miss  Winchester,  also  spasmodic, 
"I'm  getting  roasted — fried!"    Adele,  "I  am  roasted!" 

Onset  never  knew  the  exact  moment  when  the  Doctor  left 
him  standing  alone;  all  he  realized  was  the  bursting  open  of 
the  door,  the  flood  of  electric  light — it  seemed  like  daylight — 
and  the  Doctor  above  offering  his  hand  to  assist,  the  hand  not 
quite  within  reach,  an  effort  necessary  to  reach  it ;  all  depended 
upon  the  invalid's  own  effort. 

Without  a  thought  but  to  escape.  Onset  started  up  those 
remaining  steps  as  one  flying  for  his  life,  forgetful  of  weak 
legs,  paralysis,  or  any  other  incumbrance.  Actuated  by  the 
mental  and  spiritual  impulse  towards  self-preservation  he 
plunged  through  the  opening  out  upon  the  deck.  Thoroughly 
scared  by  a  vivid  realization  of  things  as  they  were,  his  previous 
hysteria  which  had  clouded  the  mind  vanished  before  a  more 
potent  impression  which  cleared  his  mental  atmosphere,  van- 
quished by  a  forced  acceptance  of  the  actual  facts — he  was  not 
paralyzed. 

The  Doctor  steadied  him  an  instant;  only  a  moment  of 
assistance  was  necessary,  until  he  realized  himself  standing 
without  support.  Dazed  and  frightened,  choking  from  the 
fumes,  while  those  who  followed  made  an  uproar  of  coughs 
and  laughter,  the  poor  fellow  could  not  take  in  the  situation 
at  a  glance.  No  one  seemed  excited,  however,  about  any  explo- 
sion; all  interest  seemed  centered  in  himself,  congratulations 
from  everybody,  Mrs.  Cultus  in  particular. 

"Why,  Mr.  Onset !  I'm  delighted  to  see  you  looking  so  well" 
(social  fib;  Onset  looked  like  an  escaped  lunatic),  "and  able 
to  walk"  (conversational  stretch),  "cured"  (perhaps),  "and 
quite  like  yourself  again"  (since  when?). 

Not  until  Onset  heard  these  highly  appropriate  congratula- 


88  A  TWENTIETH   CEXTUEY  IDEALIST 

tions  did  the  whole  situation  dawn  upon  him.  Yes,  he  had 
escaped  by  his  own  unaided  efforts  at  the  last,  and  of  course 
it  was  too  ridiculously  evident  to  be  denied  that  he  was  then 
and  there  standing  alone.  The  very  thought  was  paralyzing 
to  the  former  impression  that  he  could  not  stand.  And  behold 
the  power  of  a  new  lively  idea,  affecting  matter  as  well  as 
mind — instead  of  melancholy  Onset  and  an  old  scared  impres- 
sion, behold  Onset  smiling  in  spite  of  himself.  Everybody 
thought  he  was  going  to  make  a  speech.    He  did. 

"Ho  there,  Jimmy!  James,  where  are  you? — Jim!" 
Now,  James  had  been  in  a  terrible  quandary  during  all  the 
latter  part  of  these  proceedings.  After  Professor  Cultus  had 
descended,  at  his  request,  James  had  been  confronted  by  Mrs. 
Cultus,  who  calmly  moved  her  seat  directly  in  front  of  the 
passageway  and  with  apparent  carelessness  closed  the  door. 
She  had  moved  not  an  inch  until  just  in  time  for  the  Doctor 
to  make  his  exit,  followed  by  the  demoralized  Onset.  It  was 
Mrs.  Cultus  who  had  amused  herself  by  giving  her  impres- 
sions as  to  the  vibrating  Jimmy,  keeping  him  there  until  the 
proper  time  came.  The  valet  was  as  much  surprised  as  the 
master  when  he  saw  the  melancholy  Onset  rise  to  the  surface 
in  a  cloud  of  smoke  and  then  favor  the  company  with  a  smile. 
He  received  a  further  new  impression  when  Onset  remarked : 
"We'll  clear  the  deck,  Jimmy;  I  go  it  alone." 

Would  Onset  remain  cured?  Could  a  man  so  unstable  in 
legs,  mode  of  thought,  and  possibly  character,  remain  stead- 
fast ?    Adele  was  the  first  to  ask  herself  this  question. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  89 


XIII 


ADELE  S   MEDITATIONS 


NOTHING  succeeds  like  success.  The  Doctor's  party 
had  broken  so  many  of  the  ship's  rules,  by  igniting 
flash-powder  and  burning  paper  below  decks,  that 
a  lively  time  was  expected  when  they  were  called  upon  to  ex- 
plain matters.  No  real  harm  had,  however,  been  done  to  the 
vessel;  no  more  than  if  they  had  taken  a  flash-light  picture 
after  dark.  A  few  good  fees  to  the  stewards  and  a  draft  of 
fresh  air  through  the  passage  soon  cleared  the  atmosphere. 
When  the  officers  put  in  an  appearance  to  make  an  examina- 
tion, merely  the  fragrance  from  some  pastilles  which  Miss 
Winchester  thoughtfully  used  to  overcome  the  odor  from 
charred  paper  was  noticeable,  and  every  one  was  talking  about 
the  paralytic  who  had  rushed  up  the  gangway  in  a  state  of 
terror. 

Onset's  cure  became  the  general  topic  of  conversation  on 
board,  and  forty  people  had  forty  differences  of  opinion  as  to 
what  had  happened  and  the  propriety  of  such  proceedings. 
Adele  had  taken  only  a  minor  part,  but  after  it  was  over  came 
a  reaction  which  made  her  very  thoughtful : 

"Onset  must  be  very  weak,  weak  in  mind  as  well  as  body ; 
something  must  be  wanting  in  his  make-up.  I  don't  believe 
that  any  one  with  real  strength  of  character  could  be  cured 
exactly  as  he  was;  and  what's  more,  I  don't  believe  he  is 
cured." 

Then  she  mused  more  comprehensive^,  and  being  a  well- 
educated  girl  at  once  sought  for  the  most  notable  example  she 


90  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

could  recall  of  the  antithesis  of  this  weakness.  Her  thoughts 
had  been  much  on  serious  matters  since  her  meditations  in 
the  Park  and  her  previous  talk  with  her  Father.  "What  is  it 
this  man  lacks? — strength  of  character,  force  of  character? 
What  is  that? 

"Well,  it  strikes  me  most  impressively  in  one  particular 
personality — historical;  and  in  Him  so  strong  that  you  feel  this 
strength  today  precisely  as  if  He  were  yet  alive.  He  told  the 
weak  to  take  up  their  beds  and  walk,  and  they  obeyed — really 
weak  legs  walked.  There  was  something  wonderful  about  such 
a  character  and  the  cures  He  made.  He  certainly  had  a  force 
which  never  failed,  and  the  patients  were  permanently  better 
through  and  through,  mental  as  well  as  physical — a  deepening 
of  the  whole  character.  He  seems  to  me  the  only  perfect  prac- 
titioner of  healing  ever  known,  and  the  first  great  Psycholo- 
gist, and  although  living  so  long  ago  is  modern  yet.  He 
seems  like  one  who  had  then  conquered  even  Science  itself." 

Adele  then  sought  the  opposition  to  her  own  view,  her 
college  training  having  taught  her  to  reason  in  that  way. 

"I  never  heard  any  one  say  that  the  Historic  Christ  lacked 
in  force  of  character.  Let  me  think !  Yes,  I  did,  too — once ; 
and  curiously  enough  it  was  a  Jewish  Eabbi  disparaging  the 
greatest  historic  character  of  the  chosen  people.  He  insisted 
that  Christ  was  'deluded,'  and  deluded  forsooth  in  direct  con- 
sequence of  His  own  good  thoughts  and  actions.  Now,  how 
could  a  Personality  setting  the  most  notable  example  of  force 
and  power  be  deluded  like  an  ordinary  man  or  self-constituted 
critic?  As  to  the  ancient  golden  rule,  known  so  well  to  Con- 
fucius in  Chinese  form,  and  the  Lord's  Prayer,  also  possibly 
known  in  some  form  to  the  Rabbi  Hillel  in  Hebrew  fashion 
previously,  were  they  not  each  shown  by  Christ  Himself  in  a 
manner  far  more  potent  to  all  men,  each  after  his  kind? — I 
might  say  acceptable  to  all  creation  in  a  way  never  dreamed  of 
by  either  Confucius  or  Hillel.  Don't  tell  me  that  such  a  char- 
acter could  be  deluded.     If  such  was  the  case,  then  truth 


A  TWEN^TIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  91 

itself  in  character  is  a  delusion,  and  expediency  takes  its  place. 
All  sciences  and  religions  know  better,  all  creation  knows 
better,  all  except  the  few  who  delude  themselves  in  order  to 
bolster  up  a  previous  impression  as  to  character  to  which  they 
feel  committed.  Don't  tell  me  that  the  greatest  Hebrew  who 
ever  lived,  great  because  He  developed  force  and  strength  of 
character  in  civilizations  strong  unto  this  day,  was  deluded ! 
That  is  illogical  and  unsound,  intellect  misused,  the  twaddle 
of  criticism." 

Thus  Adele,  the  young  modern  educated  girl,  free  to  think 
of  truth  as  she  saw  it,  decided  this  question  for  herself,  and 
put  the  result  of  her  meditations  away  in  her  mental  store- 
house, little  realizing  how  soon  she  would  have  occasion  to 
congratulate  herself  upon  having  crystallized  her  views  on  this 
weighty  subject. 

"I'm  glad,"  she  said  inwardly,  "I'm  glad  Christianity  is 
founded  upon  Christ's  personality  still  alive,  His  own  words 
and  deeds  still  active,  and  not  upon  what  other  people,  ancient 
or  modern,  say  about  Him." 

Adele  went  to  join  her  mother,  and  found  Mrs.  Thorn  al- . 
ready  in  evidence.  The  latter  had  indeed  found  her  curative 
vibrations  somewhat  counteracted  by  events  due  to  others  also 
meditating  more  actively  than  she.  And  Mrs.  Thorn  showed 
much  worldly  wisdom  and  tact  in  saying  very  little  about  it; 
simply  remarking  that  "Mr.  Onset  was  already  in  a  fair  way 
to  recovery  when  the  accident  happened.  Indeed,  Mrs. 
Cultus,  I  feel  quite  confident  I  should  have  cured  him  with 
much  less  fuss  about  it." 

This  latter  remark  was  made  as  they  sat  in  the  same  vicinity 
on  deck  enjoying  the  air,  the  day  following.  Much  to  their 
surprise  some  one  answered  promptly: 

"I'm  sure  I  should," 


92  A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST 


XIV 

ANOTHER  COMMOTION" — RELIGIOUS-CURATIVE 

"Will  that  you  won't  be  sick,  and  you  won't  be,"  quoth  a  volunteer 
adviser. 
"It's  my  will  Itself  that  is  sick,"  replied  a  real  sufferer. 

I'M  sure  I  should." 
Mrs.  Cultus  turned  quickly,  to  find  the  speaker,  a 
placid-looking  person,  sitting  near,  presumably  a  lady, 
yet  who  had  evidently  been  eavesdropping.  A  person  of 
matronly  aspect,  whose  voice  and  expression  suggested  a  desire 
to  tell  others  something  that  might  be  of  benefit  to  them. 
Not  at  all  one  whose  appearance  suggested  mysticism  in  any 
degree ;  on  the  contrary  rather  ingenuous,  consequently  a  sur- 
prise to  all  present  when  she  launched  at  them  the  following 
dogmatic  statements: 

"The  practice  of  healing,  of  course  I  mean  metaphysical 
healing,  is  based  upon  certain  ethical  and  religious  principles, 
because  we  know  that  mind  holds  utter  control  over  matter." 

Mrs.  Cultus,  at  first  taken  aback,  then  much  amused,  replied 
promptly :  "Mind  over  matter !  well,  I  should  hope  so.  But 
it  strikes  me  mind  often  controls  matter  better  than  it  controls 
itself — h'm !"  and  Mrs.  Cultus  gave  a  little  cough,  as  if  the 
very  idea  had  produced  "something-the-matter"  in  her  own 
anatomy. 

Miss  Winchester  whispered  to  Adele:  "My  dear,  we  have 
found  another — metaphysical  specimen  this  time.  The  ship 
is  full  of  them." 

"No  more  cures  for  me,"  retorted  Adele.  "That  magnesium 
powder  is  not  out  of  my  head  yet — I  mean  my  hair." 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  93 

"Never  mind  that,  dear.  Your  head  will  save  your  hair; 
beg  pardon,  I  mean  your  heels." 

"Well,"  thought  Adele,  laughing,  "even  if  this  individual 
is  another  new-science-expert,  she  can't  possibly  be  of  the  loud, 
vociferous  variety."  Adele  judged  by  the  placid  manner  and 
quiet  voice,  insinuating  even  when  making  such  positive  and 
surprising  assertions.  She  had  yet  to  learn  how  extremes 
sometimes  meet  in  the  same  personality.  The  Doctor  could 
have  told  her  that  the  woman's  hands  showed  a  most  ardent 
temperament,  and  that  in  some  types  suppressed  zeal  could 
assume  the  appearance  of  placidity  personified. 

Mrs.  Thorn  regarded  the  matronly  lady  with  especial  inter- 
est, because  new  mental  impressions  of  any  kind,  from  any 
source,  might  at  any  time  be  of  use  to  her.  Her  smile  was 
bland,  mild,  courtesy  itself,  with  just  a  humorous  tinge  for 
business  with  it,  as  she  leaned  forward  to  catch  every  word. 
Some  new  point  in  the  game  might  be  played  at  any  moment. 
This  when  the  placid  matron  remarked:  "No  medicines  are 
now  needed,  no  such  disturbances  as  we  have  had  on  board. 
The  true  method  by  which  mind  may  overcome  all  disease  in 
suffering  humanity  we  have  now  learned." 

"You  don't  say  so!"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Cultus.  "No  medi- 
cines ?  What  a  blessing !  But  what  takes  their  place,  mass- 
age, or  change  of  climate?    We're  trying  the  latter." 

The  placid  lady,  as  she  soon  informed  them,  was  Mrs. 
Geyser,  of  Wyoming,  claiming  to  be  an  expert  in  the  modern 
field  of  popular  metaphysics.  Miss  Winchester,  who  knew 
what  popularity  implied,  interrupted,  "Oh,  tell  us,  Mrs. 
Geyser,  Wyoming  is  noted,  is  it  not,  as  a  locality  where  the 
natural  ebullitions  produced  by  physical  forces  are  very  re- 
markable ?" 

"Assuredly;  in  the  volcanic  region  of  our  Park  we  have 
many  instances  of  nature's  activity,  in  the  boiling  springs 
and  water  volcanoes,  mud " 

"Baths  and  smothered  combustion?"  interrupted   Frank 


94  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

Winchester.  Mrs.  Geyser  paid  no  attention,  except  to  intensify 
her  previous  statement. 

"I'm  quite  accustomed  to  such  sights.  Nature  often  looks 
so  quiet  and  harmless,  yet  the  ebullitions  you  speak  of  take 
effect  when  not  expected." 

"Anybody  scalded?"  asked  Miss  Winchester.  Mrs.  Geyser 
began  to  suspect  that  she  was  being  chaffed. 

"Gushers  by  nature,  don't  you  think  so,  Mrs.  Geyser?" 

Mrs.  Geyser  could  not  question  this  imdoiibted  fact.  How 
could  she?  Her  own  ebullitions  of  thought  were  already 
seething.  She  couldn't  get  a  word  in  edgewise  without  in- 
terruptions. How  could  any  one  preach  practical  metaphysics, 
metaphysics  with  interruptions?  The  conditions  were  most 
unfavorable.  She  determined,  however,  not  to  be  balked  in 
a  good  cause.  No  !  not  by  a  flippant  damsel,  anyhow,  with  her 
unseemly  intrusions.  So  she  fired  off  one  of  her  big  state- 
ments to  back  up  what  she  considered  to  be  practical  meta- 
physics. 

"You  know,  I  presume,  that  we  preach  the  gospel  or  good 
news  according  to  doctrine  found  in  the  Bible  and  stated  in 
the  tenets  of  religious  Science." 

Mrs.  Cultus  remarked  that  she  hoped  her  knowledge  of  the 
Bible  was  sufficient,  but,  really,  she  knew  little  about  the 
tenets.     "What  are  tenets,  an3'how?" 

"One  of  our  tenets  reads  this  way,"  and  Mrs.  Geyser 
assumed  a  tone  of  voice  most  serious,  as  if  she  were  uttering 
a  revelation  of  mystery  never  before  vouchsafed  to  ordinary 
mortals,  '^e  acknowledge  the  way  of  salvation  to  be  the 
power  of  truth  over  all  error,  sin,  sickness  and  death,  and  the 
resurrection  of  human  faith  and  understanding  to  seize  the 
great  possibilities,  yes,  possibilities,  and  living  energies  of 
divine  life." 

Mrs.  Cultus  drew  a  long  breath.  "Oh,  dear,  tenets  are  awful 
things ;  so  complicated !  May  I  ask  what  becomes  of  the  sim- 
plicity of  the  gospel?" 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST  95 

Adele  became  very  attentive  while  Mrs.  Geyser  was  speaking. 
There  was  something  in  it  which  appealed  to  her  as  very  true, 
yet  that  word  "'possibilities,"  it  was  so  easy  to  stretch  it  into 
the  impossible  and  unreasonable. 

"Please  give  us  a  simple  tenet/'  asked  Mrs.  Cultus,  now  the 
placid  speaker. 

"There  is  nothing  easier,  it's  as  easy  as  reading  a  book. 
We  have  keys  of  our  own — you  must  use  our  keys — our  own 
book  to  both  science  and  health." 

Frank  Winchester  gave  a  start,  as  if  struck  by  an  idea. 
"Keys !  those  everlasting  keys !    There  must  be  two  sets !" 

"Three,  my  dear,  three!  I  remember  them  well,"  said  Mrs. 
Cultus,  her  memory  also  startled  into  activity.  "I  knew  St. 
Peter  by  reputation  only,  but  Louis  also  had  keys.  I  remem- 
ber Louis  XVI  of  France  very  well,  when  I  was  at  school. 
He  was  a  locksmith  also,  and  made  Bourbon  keys  for  the  gov- 
ernment. Poor  man !  he  lost  both  his  keys  and  his  head. 
Why,  Mrs.  Geyser,  I'm  astonished!  Don't  you  know  the 
religious-government-locksmith-business  is  entirely  obsolete  ?" 

"In  both  science  and  religion,"  mused  Adele,  while  her 
mother  still  kept  the  floor. 

"Why,  St.  Peter  himself  said  his  keys  were  worn  out.  He 
told  the  whole  world  he  couldn't  lock  the  door  on  those  Philip- 
pine friars,  when  they  had  been  caught  interfering  with  the 
Government." 

"Don't  mix  politics  and  religion  with  metaphysics!"  ex- 
claimed Adele,  greatly  amused,  but  beginning  to  feel  inter- 
ested in  the  serio-comic  discussion.  "Please  don't — it's  bad 
form." 

"I  won't,  daughter.  I  was  only  thinking,  thinking  how 
astute  St.  Peter  was  to  find  it  out  before  The  Hague  confer- 
ence told  him  so.  I  rather  liked  that  in  Peter,  because  Paul 
generally  showed  more  intellect  in  the  long  run.  Peter  prob- 
ably was  the  better  manager,  but  I  suspect  Paul  had  more — 
more —    Oh,  what  shall  I  call  it  ?" 


96  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"Metaphysics?"  suggested  Frank  Winchester,  struggling  to 
conceal  intense  amusement. 

Mrs.  Ge)'^ser,  in  the  meantime,  was  not  the  sort  of  person  to 
remain  "sat  upon/*  as  she  thought,  "in  this  outrageous  man- 
ner." TTpr  own  mental  ebullitions  began  to  demand  utter- 
ance, but  she  managed  to  suppress  external  evidence.  Never- 
theless the  cause  she  represented  must  be  defended.  Yes ;  in 
spite  of  Paul,  Apollos,  Cephas,  Mrs.  Cephas  and  Miss  Cephas, 
the  truth  must  prevail.  She  must  witness  to  show  how  it  could 
and  would.  She  must  tell  how  the  greatest  thing  on  earth 
should  be  applied  as  medicine.  Sincerity  called  for  strenu- 
osity,  the  fundamental  element  in  "our  religion"  must  be 
made  Imown,  preached,  and  she  did  so,  thusly: 

"The  maintenance  of  health  and  cure  of  disease  occupy  a 
large  space  in  the  religious  faith  of  our  society.  Love  is  the 
greatest  thing  on  earth,  the  fundamental  thing  with  us.  Love 
conquers  all  things,  headache  and  neuralgia,  backache  and 
lumbago,  all  included,  annual  and  perennial,  the  whole  list, 
non-chronic  and  chronic.  To  apply  religion  scientifically  we 
first  fix  truth  and  love  steadfastly  in  the  patient's  thoughts 
and  explain  what  religious  science  is,  but  not  too  soon,  not 
until  the  patient  is  prepared  for  it;"  and  then  Mrs.  Geyser 
continued  to  elucidate  her  method,  incidentally  remarking 
that  medicine  was  never  needed,  not  even  for  babies,  not  even 
in  the  mild  form  of  a  preparatory  mixture.  Frank  Winches- 
ter recalled  to  memory  the  recent  preparatory  mental  dose 
given  by  the  Doctor  to  Mr.  Onset,  but  said  nothing.  Adele, 
recently  graduated,  could  not  avoid  asking  the  question : 

"Have  you  a  diploma?" 

A  very  dignified  attitude  struck  Mrs.  Geyser  in  the  small 
of  her  back  when  Adele  innocently  propounded  this  touchy 
question.  She  straightened  up  to  reply.  "Our  diplomas  are 
attested  by  the  supernatural  powers  we  exert.  I  deny  that 
natural  causes  can  account  for  our  proceedings,  I  mean  our 
results." 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST  97 

"It  looks  just  that  way,"  remarked  Mrs.  Cultus,  while  Mrs. 
Geyser  continued: 

"But  to  comply  with  the  laws  of  the  land  and  render  unto 
Csesar  the  things  that  are  his  I  did  take  a  course  at  our  Meta- 
physical College — twelve  half-days'  instruction  at  three  hun- 
dred dollars  for  the  course.  Ample,  I  assure  you,  to  satisfy 
any  materialistic  law-maker,  and  quite  as  expensive  as  many 
other  colleges."  After  this  incidental  announcement  Mrs. 
Geyser  seemed  ready  to  resume  the  practice  of  her  profession 
as  teacher,  but  Adele,  by  this  time,  did  not  seem  inclined  to 
let  it  be  done  so  easily.  Evidently  a  climax  was  approach- 
ing in  Adele's  own  mind  as  to  the  duty  of  graduates. 

"I  notice,  Mrs.  Geyser,  that  you  lay  great  stress  upon  cures." 

"Yes,  they  bear  witness  to  the  truth  in  our  religious- 
science." 

"Do  you  keep  any  account  of  failures  ?" 

"None  whatever." 

"Then  you  notice  what  suits  you  and  ignore  the  rest.  Is 
that  truth  in  science?" 

"Failures  do  not  depend  upon  phenomena  or  cases." 

"Then  upon  what  ?"  inquired  Adele,  intensely  interested. 

"Failures  depend  upon  the  Divine  Word." 

A  pause — Adele  as  one  astounded  at  what  she  considered 
the  fearful  abuse  of  both  thoughts  and  words  in  Mrs.  Geyser's 
statements. 

No  doubt  Mrs.  G.  imagined  she  was  protecting  her  faith  and 
religion  by  this  placing  of  blame  for  failure  upon  the  Spirit 
of  Truth  in  the  Divine  Word,  as  if  Truth  itself  could  ever  be 
a  delusion,  a  fallacy,  a  failure;  but,  unfortimately,  or  fortu- 
nately perhaps,  Adele  Cultus  grasped  the  fuller  import  of 
such  assertions — so  abusive  of  facts  in  nature  scientific  and 
philosophical,  so  diametrically  in  opposition,  or  else  ignoring 
Christ's  especial  teaching  by  word  and  work.  Such  was 
Adele's  point  of  view. 

To  Adele  this  was  utterly  illogical,  antagonistic  to  truth  as 


98  A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

she  saw  it.  Such  an  atrocious  conception  from  one  who  had 
just  been  talking  about  love  the  greatest  thing  on  earth, 
struck  through  Adele  like  an  electric  shock,  and,  as  usual  with 
her,  the  spiritual  dominant.  She  was  also  outwardly  calm, 
but  mentally  that  violent  tension  which  comes  with  strenuous 
effort  to  find  the  truest  utterance.  The  horrible  words  again 
sounded  in  her  ears:     "Failures — depend — upon " 

"Mrs.  Geyser,  to  the  Divine  Word  let  us  appeal.  The  record 
states  that  our  Saviour  did  depend  upon  the  phenomena  to 
sustain  his  claims,  'Believe  me  for  the  very  works'  sake,'  and 
He  never  failed.  When  science,  some  day,  progresses  to  the 
standpoint  of  our  Saviour's  knowledge  and  practice  we  too 
may  understand  the  application  of  natural  laws  as  He  did. 
What  is  the  so-called  supernatural  ?  Merely  that  which  science 
has  not  yet  explained:  miracles  to-day  are  not  miracles  to- 
morrow." 

All  attention  was  now  focused  upon  Adele,  her  eyes  flashing 
as  they  often  had  done  when  tackling  a  difficult  problem  at 
college.  Her  mentality  was  concentrated.  Mrs.  Cultus 
thought  she  "looked  like  Portia"  when  she  continued : 

"Our  Heavenly  Father  wrote  the  Divine  Word  in  all  things. 
Science  and  religion  must  agree.  They  have  the  same  Author." 

Now  if  Adele  had  only  stopped  at  this  point  and  by  silence 
let  the  truth  further  speak  for  itself  in  the  heart,  much  of 
what  followed  would  have  been  avoided.  But  youth  is  impul- 
sive in  method  and  often  abuses  strenuosity  by  becoming  indis- 
creet. Her  youth  led  her  to  jump  at  a  conclusion  embodying 
personal  reference,  which  of  course  broke  away  from  the  direct 
route  to  assurance  of  faith  by  spiritual  discernment  of  actual 
facts.  The  bane  of  both  science  and  religion  came  nearer 
wrecking  the  truthful  impression  already  germinated  in  Mrs. 
Geyser's  consciousness. 

"You  are  a  religious  thaumaturgist,  Mrs.  Geyser — a  dealer 
in  wonder-work.  Your  results  arc  not  real  miracles,  because 
you  have  failures  and  abuse  truthful  words.    Having  failures 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST  99 

when  you  attempt  to  heal,  you  can't  possibly  he  apostles  of 
the  truly  ordained  religious  and  scientific  type." 

Quick  as  a  flash,  Mrs.  Geyser  spoke  the  historic  tnith : 

"Christ's  Apostles  did  have  failures.  Your  remarks  have 
no  force." 

Adele  also  quick  as  a  flash : 

"Precisely  so  !  which  shows  the  real  difference  between  them 
and  Him.  In  every  instance  when  they  did  fail  He  called 
them  a  faithless  and  perverse  generation.  Do  you  know  why, 
Mrs.  Geyser?" 

Mrs.  Geyser  refused  to  reply. 

"Because  they  neglected  well  known  means,  considered 
scientific  in  those  days,  and  so  recognized  yet  by  reasonable 
people.  The  Apostles  neglected  to  employ  prayer  and  fasting, 
that  is  to  say,  proper  mental  and  physical  treatment.  They 
had  not  adequately  examined  the  case  themselves,  consci- 
entiously nor  in  a  prayerful  spirit,  nor  given  the  proper  medi- 
cine already  known  to  be  useful  in  such  cases.  Our  Saviour 
always  applied  common  sense  to  his  physical  and  spiritual 
healing  and  had  no  failures."  Then  she  added  mentally,  "He 
does  it  3^et." 

Mrs.  Geyser  had  never  before  heard  the  historic  Christ 
spoken  of  as  a  physician  of  the  regular  school,  which  eventu- 
ally resulted  in  modern  practice.  She  had  always  thought  of 
Him  as  an  Oriental  Healer  with  no  pretence  to  manifesting 
cures  by  reasonable  specific  methods,  such  as  have  since  been 
learned  by  the  Holy  Spirit  of  Truth  in  medicine,  psychol- 
ogy, and  the  science  of  religion ;  by  the  Spirit  which  is  Holy, 
which  Christ  promised  He  would  send.  She  had  often  said  that 
the  Scriptures  gave  no  direct  interpretation  of  the  scientific 
basis  for  demonstrating  until  the  new  key  was  discovered. 
In  fact,  Mrs.  Geyser  was  herself  very  mediaeval  in  her  notions 
of  what  Christ's  personality  stands  for  as  enlightenment,  the 
Holy  Spirit  of  Truth  in  all  things,  the  Light  of  the  World. 

Therefore  what  Adele  asserted  made  little  real  impression 


100        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

other  than  antagonism,  not  as  yet,  not  until  Adele,  more 
roused  than  ever,  continued : 

"No  record  of  failures  is  shirking  responsibility,  and  per- 
sonal responsibility  is  one  of  the  truest  things  in  any  religion 
worthy  of  the  name.  Denial  of  dependence  upon  phenomena 
is  a  false  position,  totally  unlike  our  Saviour.  It  is  a  pseudo- 
Christianity,  and  it  is  rank  pseudo-science  to  quote  in  the 
same  breath  only  those  phenomena  which  you  think  will  suit 
your  purpose."  She  was  going  on  to  add  "preposterous  abuse 
of  the  Divine  Word,"  when  her  mother  beckoned  her  to  be  less 
extreme  and  impulsive.  Her  youth  therefore  satisjBed  itself 
by  turning  the  personal  allusions  half-way  round  towards  her- 
self: "I  think  your  position  is  preposterous,  Mrs.  Geyser, 
and  your  science  an  imposition  upon  the  public." 

Adele  regretted  her  words  almost  as  soon  as  uttered,  but 
too  late ;  an  eruption  imminent,  it  must  come. 

Mrs.  Geyser,  the  mystic,  had  been  in  a  suppressed  condition, 
but  the  mental-effervescence  was  approaching  nearer  and 
nearer  to  the  surface.  Personalities  which  she  often  applied 
to  others  she  could  not  stand  when  turned  towards  herself — 
they  acted  still  more  potently ;  in  effect  not  unlike  that  of  soap- 
suds upon  the  water  volcanoes  of  her  native  region,  temporary 
suppression  followed  by  ebullitions  worse  than  usual.  She 
could  no  longer  sit  still,  so  she  rose  to  her  feet,  without  fear 
but  with  much  trembling,  and  gave  vent  to  a  torrent  of 
expostulations,  hurling  her  words  at  Adele  as  if  to  deluge  her 
with  facts. 

"You  don't  pretend  to  say  there  have  been  no  cures  by 
faith?" 

"T  do  not,"  said  Adele  firmly,  "but " 

"But  what,  young  miss?  Can  you  deny  facts  in  life? 
Facts!  facts  as  well  authenticated  as  the  New  Testament 
itself!" 

"I  neither  deny  facts  in  nature  nor  the  testimony  of  honest 
witnesses,  but " 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST        101 

"Cures  which  the  Founder  of  Christianity  promised  His 
followers  they  should  perform !"  cried  the  Geyser,  still  more 
excited. 

Adele's  indignation  at  this  became  irresistible,  neither  could 
she  stand  it;  and  the  result? 

A  remarkable  thing  yet  perfectly  natural,  phenomenon  well 
known  to  both  religion  and  science,  a  sudden  intense  appre- 
ciation that  "the  letter  killeth  but  the  Spirit  giveth  life," 
affecting  her  whole  personality,  physical,  mental,  spiritual. 

Adele's  ideal  became  realized  in  her  own  person. 

The  psychological  influence  of  that  which  is  Holy  became 
manifest. 

She  became,  as  it  were,  the  personification  of  that  which 
she  believed  to  be  true.  Sober  enthusiasm  and  convictions, 
both  scientific  and  religious,  came  to  her  rescue. 

She  spoke,  but  with  a  revulsion  in  manner,  quietly,  slowly, 
each  sentence  distinct,  and  her  words  were  the  truth  in  sober- 
ness, moral  courage  and  reason  at  its  best,  the  Holy  Spirit 
over  all: 

"Pardon  me,  Mrs.  Geyser.  I  am  really  very  sorry  I  offended 
you."  Then,  after  a  little  pause,  "I  can't  express  all  that  I 
feel  and  would  like  to  say;  but  it  seems  to  me  our  Saviour 
was  always  reasonable.  He  never  did  imply  what  is  unrea- 
sonable, no  matter  what  marvels  and  mysteries  He  may  have 
revealed  to  enlighten  further.  It  seems  to  me  nature  has  ever 
since  witnessed  to  His  wonderful  obedience  to  her  laws  and 
His  profound  knowledge  of  the  Divine  Word  wherever  written 
in  nature,  physical  or  spiritual.  He  came  not  to  destroy  but 
to  fulfil  laws  in  nature,  and  this  in  spite  of  all  that  has  ever 
been  said  of  Him  to  the  contrary." 

All  were  now  absorbed,  blending  their  own  spiritual  experi- 
ence with  hers  as  Adele  continued : 

"Now  in  religion  the  claims  you  make  demand  a  marvel- 
lous thing  in  nature,  a  marvel  indeed,  quite  unreasonable  to 
expect  in  the  brighter  light  of  known  truths,"  and  she  rested 


102        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

her  eyes  calmly  on  Mrs.  Geyser,  she  too  having  become  quieter 
under  the  better  influences  at  work. 

"A  marvel,  indeed,  Mrs.  Geyser,  no  less  than  the  actual 
presence  of  a  perfect  human  being." 

Mrs.  Geyser  repeated  the  words,  musing  self-consciously, 
"A  perfect  human  being !" 

"Yes,  indeed,"  continued  Adele.  "Taking  things  as  they 
are,  as  the  truth  in  science  has  already  taught  us,  the  per- 
formance of  cures  by  the  means  you  attempt  would  demand 
perfection  in  both  knowledge  and  technic — one  who  knows 
and  one  who  does  to  perfection — a  perfect  man.  Of  course  I 
must  mean  perfect  in  reason,  reasonably  perfect  as  nature 
manifests  truth,  at  the  period  when  the  man  lives." 

"What  do  you  mean  by  perfection?"  asked  Mrs.  Geyser, 
evidently  sincere.  "I  don't  quite  understand  what  you  mean 
by  that  sort  of  high-flown  talk."  This  was  only  too  true,  for 
Mrs.  Geyser,  with  all  her  pretence  to  metaphysics,  had  never 
formulated  a  definition  of  that  word  "perfection;"  she  knew 
little  and  perceived  less  in  that  very  mode  of  thought  to  which 
she  made  claim  as  an  expert. 

Adele's  youthful  eyes  certainly  did  show  a  human-nature- 
twinkle  when  thus  called  upon  to  define  what  should  have 
been  elementary  to  Mrs.  Geyser  if  an  expert ;  and  so  very  im- 
portant to  remember  when  "perfect  cures"  were  claimed  in 
spite  of  the  known  imperfections  of  all  other  systems  of  treat- 
ment. Adele  never  appreciated  her  college  training  more  than 
when  she  found  that  she  could  use  the  knowledge  thus  ob- 
tained in  reasoning  with  Mrs.  Geyser. 

"Well,  in  metaphysics  as  well  as  other  studies,  perfection  is 
something  like  this :  it  is  not  only  'finished  in  every  part,  com- 
pleted,' but  much  more,  it  is  'whole,  entire,  existing  in  the 
widest  extent,  and  in  the  highest  degree — in  spiritual  relations 
divine  in  character  and  quality.'  You  surely  believe  this, 
Mrs.  Geyser!" 

Mrs.  Geyser  made  a  heroic  mental  effort  to  grasp  this  state- 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        103 

ment  and  answer  the  question;  Adele  tried  to  help  her, 
anxious  to  share  the  very  best  of  her  own  mental  conclusions, 
her  own  spirit  dominated  by  the  Spirit  that  is  Holy,  to  help 
others  and  not  antagonize. 

"Now  to  me  the  two  words,  perfection  and  divinity,  are 
precisely  the  same  in  significance  in  relation  to  our  present 
discussion,  and  they  both  touch  the  very  highest  point  in 
reason,  the  acme  of  reason.  We  cannot  go  higher  than  that, 
can  we,  Mrs.  Geyser?" 

Mrs.  Geyser  acknowledged  it  was  "pretty  well  up," 

Adele,  properly  gauging  the  calibre  of  her  patient  by  this 
remark,  repeated  the  idea: 

"No,  I  can  think  of  nothing  higher  than  perfection  and 
what  it  implies.  No,  not  in  physics,  metaphysics,  nor  religion. 
Can  you,  Mrs.  Geyser?" 

The  listener  seemed  somewhat  confused,  but  sincerely 
anxious  to  learn.    Adele  continued: 

"Religion  and  Philosophy  both  teach  me  that  Divinity  alone 
manifests  Perfection  to  the  extent  your  claims  call  for.  No 
doubt  you  have  examined  into  the  matter  thoroughly,  Mrs. 
Geyser.    May  I  ask  what  your  key  says  on  the  subject  ?" 

The  matronly  Mrs.  Geyser,  ever  self-conscious,  yet  trying  to 
be  sincere,  immediately  directed  her  thoughts  inwardly,  to  a 
sort  of  self-examination  which  her  system  was  apt  to  call  for 
in  such  cases;  a  system  of  self-examination  very  peculiar  in 
its  operation,  as  if  trying  to  detect  how-much-of-perfection 
she  had  within  herself  to  be  depended  upon  to  influence  or 
exert  the  Supreme  Power  to  perfect  cures.  If  anybody  ever 
did  try  to  work  out  her  own  salvation  (cure  herself)  by  means 
of  complicated  theories  distorting  good  intentions,  it  was  this 
earnest  woman,  misguided  by  a  mist  of  words  applied  to  the 
veritable  mysteries  in  nature,  a  mystical  abuse  of  the  unseen 
truths  so  well  recognized  by  all  truth-seekers  as  mysterious. 
Thou  canst  not  tell  whence  it  cometh  nor  whither  it  goeth. 
Mrs.  Geyser  seemed  worried,  but  in  no  way  daunted;  rather 


104        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

troubled  because  she  could  not  state  her  own  case  as  she 
thought  it  should  be  stated.  Very  like  a  matron  indeed,  with 
an  enormous  bunch  of  keys  at  her  side,  not  one  of  which  would 
fit. 

Adele,  also  uneasy  lest  she  had  not  shown  that  kindness  and 
consideration  in  manner  and  tone  for  one  older  than  herself, 
which  the  case  called  for — a  case  in  which  the  Perfect  Spirit 
alone,  the  Holy  Spirit  of  Truth  in  Love,  can  do  the  "perfect 
work." 

Adele  felt  this  deeply.  "What  shall  I  do  now?  Talk  on? 
No ;  no  more  talk.  I  hate  this  rumpus,  hate  it !  but  must  do 
something.  Never  again  will  I  be  caught  in  such  a  discussion 
and  controvers}'.  Never!  but  I  must  do  something.  Poor 
soul,  she  can't  even  see  what  she  can  see.  I  wish  I  could  see 
for  her/'  and  Adele  cast  her  eyes  about,  as  if  looking  for  in- 
spiration in  the  surrounding  objects. 

A  book  lay  upon  Miss  Winchester's  lap.  She  had  been  using 
it  at  the  piano  in  the  salon.  The  title  caught  Adele's  eye. 
"Songs  Without  Words,"  the  musical  association  with  the 
title  she  well  knew,  but  now,  what  ? 

Her  active  mind,  trained  to  work  by  association  of  ideas, 
and  her  spiritual  faculties  longing  to  determine  what  to  do 
then  and  there,  the  two  worked  together.  If  the  beautiful  art 
of  music  she  loved  so  well  could  speak  without  words  through 
the  ear,  why,  surely  there  must  be  a  way  to  speak  by — by 

She  left  her  chair,  crossed  over  to  where  Mrs.  Geyser  sat, 
and  held  out  a  friendly  hand,  her  attitude  the  reverse  of 
antagonistic,  her  eyes  speaking  the  meekness  which  is  always 
followed  by  the  promised  reward.  There  was  no  mistake  as 
to  the  words  uttered  by  those  lovely  eyes,  they  asked  first  for 
peace,  peace  first,  then  hope,  then  charity,  showing  that  meek- 
ness which  inherits  the  earth.  Herself  illumined  by  that 
wonderful  light  that  never  was  by  sea  or  land,  but  sometimes 
is  reflected  on  the  human  face. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        105 


XV 

TWO  SIMULTANEOUS  SOLILOQUIES 

THE  countenance  of  Mrs.  Cultus  after  this  tr3dng  scene 
was  a  study  in  itself.  She  was  attempting  to  under- 
stand her  own  daughter.  Worldly  wisdom  was  well 
developed  in  Mrs.  Cultus,  and  it  was  fortunate  for  Adele  that 
her  mother  had  suppressed  dangerous  personalities  early  in 
the  interview,  else  the  result  would  have  been  permanently 
bad  instead  of  what  it  proved  to  be.  Much  of  what  Adele  said 
Mrs.  Cultus  had  fully  appreciated,  but  not  all ;  not  when  her 
daughter  began  talking  of  what  constituted  perfection,  and 
the  consequences.  Then  worldly  wisdom  failed,  and  the 
mother  regarded  her  daughter  with  amazement. 

"The  child !  What  does  she  know  of  metaphysics  ?  Yet 
she  talked  as  if  she  knew  all  about  it  as  well  as  she  knows  her 
own  classmates.  She  must  have  studied  both  religion  and 
science  at  college.  I  don't  wonder  they  made  her  vale- 
dictorian of  her  class,  to  get  in  the  last  word.  She  is  just  like 
her  father,  intellectual,  and  I  certainly  was  with  her  when 
she  became  angry  with  that  woman  for  not  giving  medicine  to 
sick  babies.  Extraordinary,  isn't  it,  how  some  people  can 
crowd  out  their  natural  instincts  for  an  idea — it  is  not  safe  to 
live,  not  with  such  notions.  What  new-fangled  medical  schools 
without  medicine  are  being  propagated !  Here  are  two  new 
ones  on  board  this  ship — even  in  mid-ocean  there's  no  getting 
rid  of  them.  Well,  I'm  rejoiced  that  Adele  has  not  been  edu- 
cated out  of  her  natural  instincts.  It  is  so  much  safer  to  be 
orthodox  about  such  things,  and  take  medicine ;  and  these  fads. 


106        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

why,  never  bother  with  fads  except  for  amusement.  Now  that 
telepathic  reading  we  had  one  night  at  home  was  almost  as 
good  as  the  other  evening  with  hypnotics,  both  were  so  divert- 
ing. But,  oh !  deliver  me  from  these  new  sciences.  Now  I 
mustn't  forget;  I  must  tell  Adele  how  much  I  admired  her 
standing  up  for  old-fashioned  medicine  and  orthodoxy  in 
religion." 

Thus  soliloquized  Mrs.  Cultus  in  her  state-room,  while  a 
door,  slamming  every  ten  seconds  in  the  passageway,  some- 
what interfered  with  the  continuity  of  her  thoughts. 

There  was  yet  another  of  the  party  whose  estimation  of 
Adele  rose  immensely.  Paul  Warder  had  overheard  the  dis- 
cussion ;  it  gave  him  an  insight  as  to  Adele's  character  which 
he  would  have  been  a  long  time  discovering,  and  he  felt 
strengthened  himself  by  the  thoughts  she  had  expressed.  Paul 
was  not  given  to  ostentation  in  religious  matters  any  more 
than  Adele  herself,  nor  did  he  feel  quite  able  to  discuss  such 
things  even  if  opportunity  offered.  He  was  not  so  constituted, 
either  by  heredity  or  education.  His  antecedents  had  been  of 
good  Quaker  stock,  his  own  affiliations  with  churchmen,  his 
daily  associations  with  Doctor  Wise,  from  whom  he  had  heard 
views  almost  to  the  verge  of  heterodoxy. 

Paul  kept  his  own  counsel  and,  like  Adele,  preferred  to  show 
by  acts  rather  than  words  what  his  principles  were.  He  and 
Adele  were  physically  and  mentally  different,  but  spiritually 
not  at  all  unlike.  Without  appreciating  it  themselves  at  this 
time  they  already  embodied  that  potent  yet  mysterious  combi- 
nation in  nature  which  affords  the  most  solid,  durable  founda- 
tion for  true  friendship,  the  secure  and  real  basis  upon  which 
marriage  should  stand.  To  hear  Adele  speak  her  mind  freely, 
as  she  did,  was  a  new  experience  to  Paul,  an  insight  which 
from  its  very  nature  forced  him  to  think  about  her.  It  was 
one  of  these  incidents  in  his  own  life  he  could  never  forget, 
never  forget  her  nor  what  she  had  said. 

Paul's  vernacular  when  he  soliloquized  was  not  so  Eraer- 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST        107 

sonian  as  it  might  have  been ;  if  it  lacked  anything  it  certainly 
was  even  a  suspicion  of  transcendentalism.  No;  Paul  had  a 
vernacular  of  his  own,  equally  characteristic  and,  from  his  own 
point  of  view,  even  more  forcible.  He  still  retained  some  of 
his  college  idioms  when  talking  aloud  to  the  bed-post,  and 
there  was  in  them  a  peculiar  virility.  When  he  found  himself 
alone  after  this  new  experience  his  youth  effervesced  in  this 
style : 

"By  Jove,  what  a  girl !  No  nonsense  there !  And  she  was 
right,  too ;  0.  K.  every  time.  How  she  did  pick  out  the  flaws 
in  that  queer  woman's  racket.  I  could  see  that  it  was  absurd 
myself,  but  I  never  could  have  spotted  the  thing  as  Adele  did 
and  then  finally  smoothed  things  down  so  well.  She  must  be 
an  awfully  good  girl.  I  wonder  if  a  man  can  ever  be  as  good 
as  a  woman.  And  these  college  girls  get  on  to  things  we 
fellows  never  grasp  by  the  right  end,  and  then  they  put  them 
in  practice,  too.  I  detest  women  preachers,  but,  hang  it!  I 
believe  Adele  Cultus  could  preach  first-rate  if  she  wished.  I 
hope  she  won't  get  into  the  habit,  but  it  is  a  deuced  good 
thing  to  be  able  to  say  exactly  what  you  really  think  when 
occasion  arises.  By  Jove,  she  is  a  stunner !  Take  care,  old 
boy,  and  don't  fall  in  love  with  a  strong-minded  girl,  whatever 
you  do.  I  never  heard  her  talk  so  before,  and  if  it  had  not  been 
for  the  provocation  given  her  by  that  crank  and  the  preposter- 
ous statements  she  made  about  all-metaphysics  and  no-medi- 
cine Adele  would  never  have  been  roused.  No,  it  was  not 
that  either  which  aroused  her — it  was  the  abuse  of  the  serious 
words  and  what  Adele  saw  differently  that  roused  her.  No, 
that  was  not  uncalled-for  interference,  but  a  regular  sponta- 
neous stand-up  for  the  truth  as  she  saw  it.  But  she  must  have 
gone  over  it  somehow  beforehand,  in  her  mind.  We  fellows 
always  have  to  peg  over  such  things,  or  get  the  exact  words 
from  books,  so  we  can  be  sure  of  our  ground.  I  expect  she 
has  a  good  verbal  memory;  I  wish  I  had.  Science,  religion, 
and  metaphysics  all  mixed  up  in  the  same  breath.    I  believe 


108        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

she's  right,  metaphysics  and  religion  do  go  together  in  brain 
work,  but  it's  very  dangerous  ground  for  weak  minds.  Great 
Scott !  when  a  bright  girl  does  use  her  intellect  how  attractive 
she  can  be,  and  a  fellow  can't  help  seeing  and  feeling  how 
lovely  she  is." 

Why  should  Paul  have  been  so  moved  ?  He  had  just  learned 
something  well  worth  knowing  of  a  truly  good  woman  whose 
intellect  worked  comprehensively,  not  in  grooves;  one  who 
really  knew  more  than  he  did  on  certain  lines,  and  had  the 
courage  of  her  convicions,  the  convictions  being  precisely  what 
he  himxself  most  highly  approved,  instinctively  and  by  educa- 
tion.   His  youth  did  the  rest. 

He  was  attracted  to  her,  as  he  said,  and  even  more  than  he 
thought,  but  he  was  not  enamored  of  her — the  masculine 
desire  for  possession  had  not  yet  asserted  itself ;  he  was  being 
unconsciously  led,  however,  in  that  direction.  Nature's  pre- 
paratory course  was  on  a  much  higher  plane  than  was  the 
human  st3de  of  preparation  given  by  the  Doctor  to  Mr.  Onset. 
Paul  felt  beginning  to  blossom  within  him  such  an  honest 
regard,  such  a  profound  admiration  for  Adele,  for  her  sin- 
cerity and  the  truth  in  her,  that  he  was  led  to  'Tjelieve  in  her," 
trusted  her  perfectly,  and  was  ready  to  defend  her  in  all 
things.  But  he  did  not  love  her  in  the  complete  sense  of  the 
term  under  natural  laws :  the  "for  better  or  for  worse"  in  the 
supreme  sense  had  not  yet  made  its  appeal,  nor  had  either  of 
them  yet  seen  Aphrodite  rising  from  the  sea. 

What  was  Paul's  condition  from  a  purely  philosophical 
standpoint?  He  had  acquired  through  Adele's  force  of  char- 
acter that  which  was  far  better,  the  permeating  sacred  spirit 
in  which  all  true  affection  must  rest  if  it  is  to  endure.  Paul 
was  as  true  in  type  as  Adele.  Her  mentality  had  conquered 
by  manifesting  her  spirit  from  within,  he  had  obtained  a 
firm  intellectual  belief  based  upon  certain  phenomena  in 
nature.  Would  the  realizing  sense  of  the  need  of  each  other 
follow  ?    If  so,  what  direction,  what  line  would  it  take — physi- 


A  TWENTIETH  CEIsTTURY  IDEALIST        109 

cal  or  spiritual,  downwards  or  upwards,  for  better  or  for 
worse?  The  blossom  might  fall  blighted  before  the  perfect 
fruit  was  formed. 

As  a  matter  of  fact  they  themselves  were  absorbed  simply 
in  the  beauty  of  the  flower  as  it  unclosed,  with  little  thought 
of  else  than  the  enjoyable  present. 


no        A  TWENTIETH  CENTUKY  IDEALIST 


XVI 

COURAGE  VERSUS  FOOLHARDINESS 

WHILE  yet  thinking  about  Adele,  Paul  stood  near 
the  stern  of  the  vessel,  overlooking  the  foamy 
roadway  produced  by  the  constantly  revolving 
propeller;  he  noticed  the  rapid  progress  made  by  the  ship 
which  bore  him  onwards.  Looking  outwards  his  thoughts  at 
first  turned  hopefully  towards  the  future — towards  the  region 
to  which  they  were  going ;  but  soon,  very  soon,  that  which  was 
before  his  very  eyes  drew  his  mind  towards  the  past,  suggested 
by  the  boiling  wake  extending  in  imagination  clear  back  to  the 
land  they  had  quitted.  Yet  as  a  matter  of  fact  it  was  neither 
the  past  nor  the  future  that  was  just  then  most  urgent  with  a 
crucial  test  for  him ;  he  was  about  to  realize  that  the  present 
is  always  more  urgent  and  important  than  either. 

Paul  stood  musing  about  this  luminous  pathway  which  led 
back  to  their  native  land,  their  home,  yet  each  moment  took 
him  farther  away  from  such  associations,  to  meet  strangers 
from  whom  in  the  very  nature  of  things  he  could  not  expect 
such  spontaneous  sympathy  as  with  his  own  countrymen. 

Phosphorescence  shone  upon  the  troubled  waters,  marking 
the  wake  of  the  ship  for  some  distance.  The  sky  clear,  and  in 
the  sheen  of  the  moonlight  details  of  the  white-crested  waves 
could  easily  be  defined.  It  was  one  of  those  glorious  evenings 
when  the  seascape  appears  artistically  perfect,  but  cold  and 
unsympathetic.  Moonbeams  are  not  inherently  sympathetic, 
they  have  no  warmth,  they  come  not  direct  from  that  source 
of  heat  and  life  which  gives  the  vital  energy  to  all  material 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        111 

things.  But  to  imagination  and  in  idealization  moonbeams 
may  excite  or  allay  fear,  and  they  often  give  a  clearer  vision  of 
what  sympathy  really  is,  namely,  hope  and  succor  when  most 
needed.  Nature  is  always  kind  if  we  have  the  spiritual  dis- 
cernment to  appreciate  her,  but  variable  according  to  her 
own  methods. 

Paul  had  but  little  of  the  red-hot-heroic  in  his  physical 
make-up,  nor  was  he  especially  romantic,  but  he  did  have  some- 
thing a  great  deal  better.  As  often  with  those  of  his  type,  his 
sound  mind  in  healthy  body  was  supplemented  by  a  keen  sense 
of  duty.  Moonbeams  and  romanticism  he  could  joke  about, 
but  underneath  the  jokes  he  had  most  decided  opinions  that  a 
fellow  ought  to  help  others  when  necessity  arose,  and  also  his 
own  ideas  as  to  what  was  practical  and  what  was  foolhardy. 

While  still  musing  he  could  not  avoid  admiring  the  scene, 
and  spontaneously  associating  it  with  one  he  knew  could  en- 
joy it;  the  picture  was  complete,  ready  to  be  admired.  "I 
think  Adele  would  enjoy  it,  she  ought  to  see  it.  The  ship  is 
not  going  too  rapidly,  so  the  noise  of  the  propeller  amounts  to 
little.  I'll  go  and  find  her,"  and  he  turned  to  seek  her  whose 
pleasure  was  now  more  to  him  than  heretofore. 

Hurrying  away,  he  had  taken  but  a  few  steps  before  his 
attention  was  arrested  by  a  commotion  forward.  There  were 
voices,  then  the  rapid  patter  and  scuffling  of  feet  on  the  deck, 
then  a  sharp  cry,  a  cry  the  most  soul-stirring  a  landsman  can 
hear  when  in  mid-ocean: 

"Man  overboard !" 

"Which  side?"  exclaimed  Paul,  spontaneous. 

"Port,  sir !" 

This  caused  such  a  complete  revolution  in  Paul's  emotion 
that  for  an  instant  he  was  confused.  Like  many  a  landsman, 
with  little  fear  of  the  water  itself,  yet  with  little  or  no  practice 
at  sea,  the  simplest  nautical  phrase  was  apt  to  convey  confused 
ideas.  He  could  not  on  the  instant  remember  whether  he 
should  look  forward  or  aft  (as  in  a  theatre)  to  determine  port 


112        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

from  starboard  on  board  ship,  and  as  usual  rushed  over  to  the 
wrong  side.  The  light  was  bad,  the  moon  shone  the  wrong 
way  to  see  clearly,  he  rushed  back  again,  leaned  over  the  hand 
rail  and  thought  he  saw  something  bobbing  about  on  the  water, 
but  was  not  sure — only  an  instant,  then  could  distinguish  the 
waving  arms  of  some  one  struggling.  The  figure  was  yet 
ahead,  but  approaching,  not  quite  near  yet,  but  about  to  pass 
as  he  looked  on. 

The  situation  was  painfully  dramatic,  but  from  the  deck 
as  Paul  saw  it  not  so  perilous  if  actions  were  prompt. 

"Where  are  those  life  preservers  ?''  and  with  pocket-knife  he 
cut  one  loose  and  threw  it  overboard,  then  a  second,  and  some 
smaller  cork-floats.  Why  several  ?  He  did  not  stop  to  think, 
for  another  cry,  this  time  from  the  deep,  reached  his  ear,  the 
cry  of  a  drowning  man.  It  came  sharp  on  the  night  air,  like 
a  personal  appeal,  and  so  sounded  to  Paul — a  personal  appeal, 
for  none  could  have  now  heard  it  as  clearly  as  he. 

This  was  more  than  Paul  could  stand  without  making  in- 
stant response.  ■  Two  more  rips  of  the  knife  blade,  this  time  on 
his  own  shoe-strings,  off  went  the  shoes,  then  coat  and  waist- 
coat. 

He  answered  with  his  college  call,  "All  right,  old  fellow !" 
then  sprang  on  the  hand  rail  and  plunged  headlong  into  the 
ocean,  a  clear  dive  from  the  deck  outwards,  to  find  the  drown- 
ing man. 

None  but  a  deck  hand  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  youtliful 
figure  springing  into  space,  of  course  too  late  for  him  to 
interfere.  "Two  overboard  V  cried  the  sailor  promptly,  then 
giving  vent  to  his  own  reflections,  "Some  blasted  fool  who 
wants  to  do  the  thing  hisself !"  mumbling  as  he  went  forward 
to  report. 

Increased  excitement,  passengers  calling  for  help. 

"Where  was  the  other  man?"  exclaimed  several  voices 
among  a  group  coming  aft  to  the  new  center  of  interest. 
"Where?" 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST        113 

"There,  ma'am !"  said  the  deck  hand,  pointing ;  "he  left  his 
boots." 

"Poor  fellow!"  exclaimed  Miss  Winchester.  "Oh,  Adele, 
what  a  legacy  !    Just  think  of  it,  boots !" 

The  crowd  rushed  to  look  at  the  boots.  They  were  held  up 
for  inspection.  Frank  Winchester  no  sooner  turned  her  eyes 
upon  them  than  she  rushed  forward,  recognized  the  coat  and 
waistcoat,  and  stood  aghast. 

"It's  Paul !" 

Adele  did  not  move,  she  seemed  turned  to  stone. 

Her  eyes  were  fixed,  looking  straight  ahead,  trying  to  pierce 
the  shadowy  deep,  the  boundless  expanse.  The  ocean  seemed 
enormous,  terrible,  and,  oh,  so  cold,  heartless,  consuming! 
"What!    There?    Lost!" 

But  she  was  quiet  only  for  an  instant,  then  seizing  any  loose 
articles  she  could  find  threw  them  overboard,  and  with  strong 
emotion  invited  others  to  do  the  same.  "Anything  that  will 
float — will  float !  It  may  reach  them ;  it  may,  it  must !"  and 
the  passengers  followed  her  example. 

More  life  preservers,  several  deck  stools  and  steamer  chairs 
then  followed  overboard  before  the  enraged  boatswain  could 
interfere  to  stop  their  useless  efforts. 

"Don't  you  see  we're  b'arin'  round  ?"  growled  the  old  salt. 
"The  boats  '11  pick  'em  up.    There's  no  sea  on  now." 

"I  truly  hope  so,"  breathed  Adele. 

"They've  got  plenty  of  floats  already,"  said  the  sailor. 

"How  do  you  know?"  demanded  Miss  Winchester,  nettled 
at  the  fellow's  brusque  manner. 

"Well,  he's  got  plenty  anyway.  Look  here!"  and  it  was 
indeed  a  great  relief  to  see  the  dangling  ends  of  those  cut 
ropes,  cut  by  Paul  only  a  few  minutes  before,  not  insignificant 
items,  for  they  told  of  presence  of  mind  and  foresight  instead 
of  reckless  venture. 

A  lull  followed,  while  the  vessel  began  to  turn  in  its  course. 
Several  boats  were  made  ready  to  be  lowered  into  the  water. 


114        A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST 

"Adele,"  said  Miss  Winchester,  striving  to  grasp  the  situa- 
tion, "Adele,  I  knew  he  could  swim,  all  right,  but,  really, 
really  I  did  not  take  him  for  that  sort  of  man." 

"H'm !" 

"He's  very  brave,  Adele." 

"Perhaps  you  don't  understand  him  as  well  as  I  do,"  and 
Adele's  voice  betrayed  a  greater  intensity  of  feeling  than  she 
had  intended.  Then,  as  if  catching  herself  before  too  late,  she 
added  in  a  very  different  tone,  and  casting  her  eyes  towards 
the  center  of  the  ship,  where  the  officer  of  the  deck  was  giving 
directions : 

"Frank,  he'll  not  be  left — not  if  I  can  help  it.  Just  wait 
a  minute." 

Each  had  done  what  she  could  thus  far. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST        115 


XVII 

TWO  RESCUES — AND  TWO  GIRLS 

THE  turning  of  the  steamer  appeared  to  take  an  inter- 
minable time,  especially  to  the  only  two  members  of 
the  Cultus  party  who  knew  that  Paul  was  overboard. 
The  passengers  watched  the  great  curve  of  foam  left  behind 
as  the  huge  monster  crept  around  in  its  course.  Then  whis- 
pers were  heard,  irrepressible,  nervous  whispers  from  people 
who  could  not  keep  still,  and  who  jerked  their  hands  up  and 
down  as  if  they  themselves  were  in  a  dilemma. 

•'We'll  never  find  'em,  never !  We're  only  getting  further 
off !  Will  she  never  turn  round  ?  We're  miles  away  now ! 
Why  don't  they  steer  straight  for  where  they  are  ?" 

"I  wish  I  had  my  hands  on  that  wheel,  I'd  yank  her  around 
in  a  jiffy."  This  critic  was  judging  by  a  cruise  he  had  made 
in  a  cat-boat  on  Barnegat  Bay. 

"I  hope  they've  got  them  preservers  hitched  up  high,"  quoth 
a  kind,  thoughtful  old  dame,  wearing  a  knitted  hood  and 
shawl  crosswise.  "It's  awful  important  not  to  be  top-heavy 
in  the  sea,  nor  to  swallow  too  much  water ;  it's  awful  salt,  you 
know" — this  kind  suggestion  the  result  of  experience  in  a 
surf  bath  at  Atlantic  City. 

The  boatswain's  whiskers  surrounded  a  capacious  grin  as  he 
listened  to  this  sagacious  advice,  while  at  the  same  time  he 
was  watching  the  great  semicircle  of  foam  change  to  a  horse- 
shoe curve,  the  two  ends  converging  toward  a  point  in  the 
open.  He  took  a  shy  glance  towards  the  bridge,  observing 
what  was  going  on  there,  and  then  called  out : 

"Keep  a  lookout  f or'ard !    Who's  got  the  best  eyes  ?" 


IIG        A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST 

All  strained  their  necks  to  catch  a  glimpse  ahead. 

The  vessel  had  by  this  time  veered  and  was  ploughing  back 
in  a  direct  course.  Suddenly  a  beam  of  light  shot  out  from 
above  the  bridge,  illuminating  far  ahead,  penetrating  the 
moonlight,  making  objects  on  the  surface  distinctly  visible. 

"The  search  light !  The  search  light !"  and  a  burst  of  cheers 
went  forth  loud  enough  to  be  heard  a  long  distance. 

"Give  'em  another^  boatswain!"  exclaimed  the  Barnegat 
critic. 

"Those  fellows  ain't  deaf,  give  'em  another,  boatswain!" 
This  from  the  thoughtful  hood  and  shawl. 

The  old  salt  looked  disgusted,  for  he  had  not  taken  part  in 
this  demonstration,  but  the  advisory  committee  took  it  up  at 
once,  cheering  again  and  again,  as  if  the  rescue  depended  upon 
the  noise  they  made. 

Adele  put  her  arm  in  Frank  Winchester's  and  drew  her  away 
towards  one  of  the  life  boats  amidship.  The  boat  was  already 
manned,  waiting  to  be  lowered  at  the  right  time. 

Professor  Cultus  and  the  Doctor  were  standing  near  these 
boats,  when  Adele  touched  the  latter  on  the  shoulder. 

He  turned  quickly,  something  in  her  manner  impressed  him, 
and  he  drew  her  aside. 

"Please  go  in  that  boat,  Doctor  Wise.'* 

*^hat,  you  want  me  to  go?" 

"Yes,  by  all  means." 

"I  don't  understand." 

"Oh,  but  you  will,  if  you'll  only  go." 

"But  there's  no  reason  for  my  going." 

"Yes,  there  is.  Don't  ask  me,  but  go,  please,  you  really 
ought  to  go." 

"Ought,  ought  to?"  repeated  the  Doctor  curious,  very 
thoughtful. 

Now  Doctor  Wise  had  already  learned  that  the  first  man 
overboard  was  Mr.  Onset,  the  very  man  he  had  frightened  by 
his  amateur  mental  science  treatment.     Could  the  hysteria 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST        117 

have  returned  in  some  new  form  ?  Was  it  no  cure  after  all  ? 
Could  the  man  have  attempted  suicide  ?  If  so^  didn't  he  him- 
self have  some  personal  responsibility  from  tampering  with 
such  a  case?  He  should  have  left  it  for  regular  treatment. 
A  successful  cure  would  probably  have  brought  no  such  adverse 
consequences  as  this;  but  if  unsucessful  who  would  be  to 
blame?  At  any  rate  he  was  now  identified  with  Onset  on 
board  that  ship  and  could  not  remain  passive  in  such  an 
emergency,  even  if  the  ship's  crew  could  do  the  work  better. 

Such  thoughts  rushed  through  the  Doctor's  mind  when 
Adele  told  him  he  ought  to  go  with  the  rescue  party,  as  he 
supposed,  to  help  Onset. 

An  executive  officer  was  superintending  the  boat  close  by, 
when  Doctor  Wise  approached  and  asked  nervously: 

"Where  is  the  physician  of  the  ship  ?" 

"With  the  next  boat  ahead." 

"Then  I  should  like  to  go  with  this  one." 

"Contrary  to  all  rules,"  said  the  officer,  sharply, 

Adele  overheard  this  and  before  Doctor  Wise  decided  what 
to  do  she  had  the  executive  officer  by  the  sleeve,  holding  on 
firmly. 

He  politely  but  forcibly  told  her  to  let  go  and  keep  cool, 
but  she  would  not,  not  until  she  drew  herself  near  enough  to 
whisper  in  his  ear.  If  he  could  have  seen  her  eyes  he  would 
have  listened  even  more  quickly  than  he  did,  but  she  made  her 
voice  speak  from  her  heart. 

Those  close  by  only  heard  the  first  words,  "Doctor  Wise  will 
be  of  the  greatest  use,  he "  the  rest  in  an  undertone. 

Several  of  the  self-constituted  advisory  critics  at  once  vol- 
unteered the  opinion  that  two  doctors  were  not  too  many  for 
two  men  overboard.  The  title  "Doctor"  carried  its  own  weight 
and  the  rush  of  events  prevented  any  questions. 

Miss  Winchester  meanwhile  had  worked  her  way  through  the 
crowd  to  the  side  of  the  vessel  and  was  straining  every  nerve 
to  discover  the  whereabouts  of  the  two  men  struggling  in  the 


118        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

water.  No  doubt  they  had  been  sighted  already  by  the  officers 
on  the  bridge,  because  the  speed  of  the  vessel  had  been  slack- 
ened and  the  search  light  kept  in  a  definite  direction,  but 
Frank  wanted  to  see  them  with  her  own  eyes,  alive  and  kick- 
ing, if  possible,  especially  the  kicking,  to  make  sure  they  were 
alive.  She  thought  she  saw  them,  then  knew  she  did  not ;  she 
put  up  her  hands  to  look  through  the  fingers  curved  to  form 
binoculars,  but  this  was  no  better.  Then  eagerly  looking 
around  she  spied  a  pair  of  glasses  in  the  hands  of  a  lady,  "Oh, 
excuse  me,  just  a  minute !"  and  without  waiting  for  a  re- 
sponse, took  the  glasses  without  ceremony.  Mrs.  Thorn  let 
her  keep  the  glasses,  but  watched  her  excited  fingers  attempt- 
ing to  focus  them  in  the  dim  light. 

The  speed  was  now  so  much  less  that  boats  could  be  lowered, 
ready  to  be  let  adrift  at  a  moment's  notice.  Miss  Winchester 
saw  the  Doctor  in  the  second  boat,  then  noticed  a  small  white 
spot  in  the  distance  upon  the  surface  of  the  sea,  and  while 
struggling  to  focus  those  "obstinate  glasses"  on  the  white  spot 
only  made  matters  worse.  Annoyed,  clumsy  just  when  most 
anxious  and  impatient,  she  pressed  her  lips  together  to  steady 
her  usually  strong  nerves,  almost  biting  ^^he  end  of  her  tongue, 
and  lo !  the  glasses  were  all  right,  and  into  vision  sprang  the 
white  spot,  a  life  preserver  supporting  some  one  waving  a 
handkerchief;  one  end  of  it  was  in  his  teeth  and  the  other 
corner  was  held  at  full  length,  not  at  all  unlike  a  flag  of  truce 
or  a  "peace-flag"  amid  all  the  commotion  and  excitement. 

"Oh,  Adele,  I  see  them !  He  doesn't  seem  to  mind  it  in  the 
least." 

"Both?"  asked  Adele,  eagerly. 

"Yes !  no !  yes ! — I  can't  make  out  what  he's  got.  Yes,  two ! 
I  think  so." 

"They're  both  there,  ma'am,"  said  a  sailor,  respectfully. 
"The  Captain  gave  orders  for  each  boat  to  bring  a  man.  He's 
seen  'em  'way  back." 

The  boats  were  cast  off;  they  rose  and  fell  upon  the  undula- 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        119 

tions  of  the  mighty  deep,  now  more  impressive  than  when 
traversed  at  the  more  rapid  speed.  The  tiny  boats  ascended 
to  the  summits  of  the  white-crested  waves  and  then  were 
hidden  in  the  deep  valleys  of  the  dark  sea.  Paul,  fluttering 
his  little  white  flag,  rose  and  fell  with  them.  They  approached 
each  other  with  the  movements  of  a  stately  minuet  upon  the 
ocean.  The  fixed  lights  in  the  heavens  above  and  the  creeping 
search  light  of  man  below  illumined  the  scene. 

When  Doctor  Wise  recognized  Paul  it  gave  him  an  icy  chill 
down  the  middle  of  his  back.  It  will  never  be  known  which 
was  really  experiencing  the  worst  chill  at  the  instant,  the 
Doctor  or  Paul.  However,  the  Doctor  managed  to  shake  him- 
self back  into  a  normal  condition,  then  stood  up  in  the  boat 
and  motioned  with  a  peculiar  movement,  knowing  Paul  would 
recognize  one  of  their  private  signals.  Paul  did  recognize  it 
and  gave  the  reply.  The  Doctor  then  felt  in  his  hip  pocket 
for  his  whiskey  flask — it  was  all  right — and  then  waited  until 
the  boat  was  near  enough  to  throw  a  line ;  Paul  seized  it. 

The  rescued  Mr.  Warder  was  found  floating  in  a  circular 
life  preserver  as  serenely  as  a  duck  in  a  pond.  He  held 
Onset  tightly  with  one  arm,  while  Onset  clung  to  him  with 
both,  though  safe  enough  if  he  could  but  have  realized  it. 
There  was  nothing  tragic  whatever  about  either  of  them, 
except  Onset's  state  of  mind,  which  he  showed  by  his  con- 
vulsed clasp  of  Paul. 

Paul  had  taken  a  great  risk,  from  the  popular  point  of  view, 
but  in  so  doing  had  trusted  to  the  good  faith  of  others  to  aid 
him  and  had  not  been  deceived.  Without  formulating  these 
facts  in  his  own  mind  on  the  instant,  he  had  acted  nevertheless 
upon  the  presumption  that  the  science  of  navigation  was  able 
to  meet  such  a  case,  and  he  had  faith  in  human  nature  when 
embodied  in  sincere  men.  He  had  trusted  the  truth,  and  that 
had  made  him  free  to  act  for  the  best,  as  he  saw  it;  and  all 
this  spontaneously,  because  he  had  the  courage  of  such  con- 
victions ijigrained  in  his  character. 


120        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 


XVIII 

A  SENSATION  VERSUS  AN  IMPRESSION 

WHY  did  you  do  it?"  asked  the  Doctor,  as  they 
rowed  back  to  the  ship. 
"He  called  me." 

"Who?     Onset?" 

"Yes.    There  was  no  real  danger,  only  some  risk." 

"The  deuce  there  wasn't,"  rather  surprised  at  Paul's  non- 
chalance. 

"I  knew  you  would  pick  me  up.  Onset  floated,  but  was 
nearly  a  goner  when  I  reached  him." 

"What  possessed  the  fellow?" 

"I  don't  know.  He  was  scared  wild  when  I  first  saw  him, 
beating  his  arms  about  in  every  direction.  That's  what  kept 
him  from  sinking,  even  if  his  head  went  under  at  times.  Got 
any  more  whiskey?" 

Paul  had  been  in  the  water  only  about  half  an  hour,  no 
longer  than  during  many  a  previous  dip  in  the  surf,  but  the 
nervous  tension  had  been  severe. 

The  Doctor  took  hold  of  his  hands  and  found  the  finger  tips 
were  merely  cold,  not  blue,  and  as  usual  the  form  and  vitality 
of  the  hand  showed  every  element  of  power  to  give  many  a 
good  grip  yet. 

"Ah!"  thought  the  Doctor,  "your  type  can  put  forth  the 
strenuous  effort  if  your  spirit  calls  for  it,  and  it  does  some- 
times draw  upon  the  physical  too  much;  the  best  swimmers 
are  for  this  cause  sometimes  drowned.  Don't  do  it  again,  my 
boy.    When  the  reaction  comes  you  require  stimulants  even 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST        121 

more  than  at  the  time  of  exertion/'  and  he  again  gave  Paul 
the  flask. 

Mr.  Onset  was  similarly  cared  for  in  the  other  boat.  When 
the  two  crews  came  together  near  the  steamer  Doctor  Wise  in- 
quired of  the  physician  in  charge  what  Onset  had  to  say  for 
himself. 

"He  says  he  became  giddy  and  fell  over,  I  don't  believe 
him." 

"H'm,"  mused  the  Doctor,  "weak  head  and  hysterical  legs — 
what  will  he  do  next?" 

Once  on  board  again  and  the  steamer  well  on  her  course,  the 
incident  produced  quite  a  little  sensation,  a  surface  ripple, 
but  very  little  serious  impression. 

Paul,  in  spite  of  himself,  had  to  gratify  curiosity  and  ex- 
plain details — how  he  first  caught  one  of  the  floating  deck 
stools  ("the  one  I  threw  over,"  said  the  benign  countenance 
with  the  woollen  hood),  then  swam  towards  where  he  thought 
Onset  might  be,  and  saw  his  head  against  the  sheen  on  the 
water,  and  then  kept  his  eye  on  the  head  while  swimming; 
how  it  did  not  seem  a  long  swim,  but  a  little  slow  after  find- 
ing a  life  preserver  to  tow  along;  how  he  managed  to  get  the 
floats  under  Onset,  after  first  boxing  his  ears  to  keep  him 
quiet,  and  then  ducked  into  the  life  preserver  himself,  "and 
there  we  were  until  the  steamer  turned  head  on  and  the  search 
light  became  so  blinding  that  I  could  not  see  what  I  could 
see." 

"Oh,  you  good  boy !"  again  exclaimed  the  beaming  hooded 
countenance,  who  had  evidently  been  reading  one  of  Mr. 
Frank  Stockton's  stories.  "Do  tell  us,  is  it  true,  as  Miss 
Frank  says,  that  you  wore  black  stockings  to  keep  off  sharks  ?" 

"Trousers,  this  time,  madame — trousers !  I  really  didn't 
have  time  to  change." 

"All's  well  that  ends  well,"  but  with  Adele  it  was  not  the 
end,  much  more  the  real  beginning. 


122        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

The  part  she  had  taken  in  connection  with  the  case  of 
Onset's  hysteria,  her  mental  activity  during  the  discussion 
with  Mrs.  Geyser  and  the  spiritual  experience  she  had  just 
encountered  in  learning  Paul's  decided  force  of  character, 
made  the  young  woman  live  and  breathe  intensely.  Her  whole 
being  had  been  brought  into  play.  She  developed  more  during 
that  eventful  week  of  their  life  in  mid-ocean  than  she  might 
have  done  in  a  whole  year  on  land.  Not  that  aught  of  her  past 
was  lost  or  ignored,  but  it  was  made  effective  and  she  herself 
made  more  completely  alive.  She  was  now  indeed  amid  the 
turmoils  of  life,  where  she  found  herself  taking  an  active  part. 

The  strange  and  varied  motives  which  actuated  many,  also 
the  lofty  aspirations  and  the  power  to  act,  seemed  very  similar 
to  her  own  ideals,  far  more  so  than  she  had  expected.  This 
took  away  some  of  her  own  youthful  conceit,  but  gave  her  a 
much  deeper  and  stronger  appreciation  of  things  as  a  whole. 

Naturally  a  strong  conviction  arose  within  her  that  two 
individuals  with  different  characteristics,  yet  harmonious  in 
purpose,  must  be  able  to  work  better  together  than  alone.  She 
had  always  felt  rather  independent  as  to  any  methods  she  chose 
to  adopt,  but  now  she  felt  herself  confronted  by  a  whole  series 
of  things  she  could  not  do,  no  matter  how  good  the  motive. 
Paul,  for  instance,  being  a  man,  had  done  just  what  she 
would  have  liked  to  do,  but  could  not,  being  a  woman.  She 
felt  quite  able  to  have  done  it — oh,  yes;  she  could  dive  and 
swim  and  keep  it  up;  but  somehow,  for  her  to  have  jumped 
overboard — well,  don't  do  it — foolishness — ridiculous.  But 
Paul  could — no  foolishness,  nothing  ridiculous;  in  fact,  a 
praiseworthy  act,  a  reasonable  risk,  approved  by  his  conscience 
at  the  time  and  eventually  strengthening  his  character.  She 
began  to  obtain  a  realizing  sense  of  the  complementary  equiva- 
lent in  human  nature. 

Unavoidably  Paul  rose  higher  in  her  estimation.  Twice 
he  had  shown  himself  her  equal,  perhaps  even  her  superior, 
not  mentally,  but  somehow  in  a  forcible  manner  which  taxed 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        123 

her  spirit  as  well  as  her  intellect  to  comprehend.  He  had  once 
proved  how  her  own  vocal  accomplishments^  so  much  more 
highly  developed  than  his,  could  he  in  spirit  most  potent  when 
made  subsidiary  to  the  words  and  sentiment  of  a  song ;  now  he 
had  shown  that  actions  are  more  convincing  than  words  them- 
selves in  spiritual  significance.  She  no  longer  thought  of 
Paul  as  like  other  men,  two-sided,  one  side  good  and  the  other 
— well,  not  so  good ;  but  rather  as  good  all  round,  a  really  good 
man.  Being  an  idealist,  she  put  Paul  on  a  pedestal  and 
took  a  good  look  at  him.  Certainly  he  was  very  sensible  and 
brave,  also  fascinating,  now  that  she  saw  him  in  a  good  light. 
This  was  the  state  of  affairs  when  the  crossing  of  the  Atlan- 
tic ended  by  their  entering  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar. 


124        A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST 


XIX 

GIBRALTAR  APPEARS  AND  DISAPPEARS 

IT  may  seem  superfluous  to  observe  that  the  military  spirit 
dominated  every  other  at  "The  Gib/'  but  the  ladies  of 
the  Cultus  party  had  little  idea  how  forcibly  it  would 
affect  them  until  they  were  behind  the  guns. 

Four  regiments  were  quartered  at  the  station — ^brilliant 
uniforms  in  all  directions.  Eegulation  scarlet  most  in  vogue ; 
also  "the  sporty  Eifles,"  parti-colored  like  paroquets,  green 
predominating;  also  Scotch  Highlanders  in  white  and  flesh 
tints  of  nature.  Bands  and  bag-pipes,  fifers  and  drum  corps 
perambulated  the  narrow  streets — action,  color,  martial  music 
in  the  air — the  spirit  of  the  place  exhilarating  at  first  and  its 
activity  contagious. 

"Look  at  those  red-breasts,  and,  oh,  dear,  how  very  perky !" 
exclaimed  Miss  Winchester,  as  Tommy  Atkins  and  a  group 
of  his  chums  went  by — Tommy  had  winked  at  her  when 
passing. 

"Come,  Paul,  fall  in !  Keep  step !  We'll  take  that  battery 
just  ahead." 

"Look  before  you  leap !"  cried  Adele,  laughing. 

"Oh,  that's  only  a  military  mote  in  your  eye,"  laughed 
Miss  Winchester,  "soldiers  don't  mind  a  small  matter  like 

that "  and  she  drew  the  young  people  off  along  the  crooked 

street  which  led  to  the  hotel.  Convent  (headquarters).  Park 
and  Alameda  beyond.  Professor  and  Mrs.  Cultus  following 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       125 

in  a  carriage.  As  they  looked  upward  the  Rock  frowned  upon 
them  from  a  great  height,  and  O'Hara's  Tower  appeared  near 
as  the  bird  flies,  but  a  fatiguing  ascent  for  those  on  foot.  At 
the  Signal  House  flags  were  fluttering,  and  with  a  glass  one 
could  distinguish  "wig-wagging"  in  the  direction  of  the  Med- 
iterranean, possibly  to  an  approaching  steamer  many  miles 
distant,  on  the  way  from  that  Far  East  which  they  all  hoped 
soon  to  reach. 

Life  at  "The  Gib"  not  forming  an  integral  part  of  this  nar- 
rative, it  is  enough  to  recall  that  during  their  stop-over  be- 
tween steamers  they  were  fortunate  in  assisting  at  a  battle 
upon  the  neutral-ground,  after  which  they  attended  a  ball  at 
the  "Convent."  Our  interest  just  now  is  to  note  how  well 
Mrs.  Cultus  improved  her  opportunity,  especially  after  visit- 
ing Tangiers. 

When  at  home  Mrs.  Cultus  was  a  busy  member  in  several 
clubs,  all  fashionably  active  in  good  works.  She  had  a  pigeon- 
hole for  each  particular  style  of  club  letter  paper,  with  head- 
ings artistically  engraved.  Among  them,  "Politely  Civil 
Club,"  "Amateurs'  Topographical,"  "Domestic  Relief  Associ- 
ation," "Cat  Home,"  and  "Old  Man's  Depository."  Mrs. 
Cultus  doted  on  cats  and  variety  in  good  works,  and  was  deter- 
mined to  prove  all  things  and  hold  fast  to  that  which  is  good. 
In  a  spasm  of  zeal  previous  to  her  departure  she  had  faithfully 
promised  to  report  from  abroad  such  of  her  observations  "ob- 
tained by  travel  on  the  spot,"  as  might  be  interesting  in  con- 
nection with  the  club  work  at  home.  It  goes  without  saying 
that  both  Gibraltar  and  Tangiers  each  proved  to  be  a  bonanza 
to  Mrs.  Cultus,  and  she  very  wisely  determined  to  get  rid  of 
the  troublesome  business  at  once. 

"I  know  I  can  write  something  better  than  that  communi- 
cation about  'Tobogganing  in  St.  Petersburg,'  and  as  to  the 
one  on  'Seesawing  in  Alaska,'  it  was  a  very  trivial  production. 
In  civil  matters  it's  quite  as  important  to  know  what  not  to  do 
as  what  to  do,  and  I  certainly  do  see  here  on  'The  Gib'  many 


126        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

things  highly  instructive  to  Uncle  Sam  in  connection  with 
our  new  colonies.  Now,  let  me  see!  Let  me  arrange  my 
thoughts  before  writing  them  out. 

"Why,  I  feel  quite  an  embarrassment  of  riches"  (she  re- 
peated it  in  French )  :  "Gibraltar !  certainly  the  most  cos- 
mopolitan region  we  have  yet  reached,  a  perfect  conglomera- 
tion of  diversified  interests,  and  yet  they  are  not  at  logger- 
heads ;  military,  also  millinery,  costumes  very  important ;  not 
so  much  commercial  as  confidential ;  financial,  with  four  kinds 
of  currency;  national  yet  international,  geographically  con- 
sidered; diplomatic,  aromatic,  and  ethical;  all  substantial 
problems  working  in  harmony — not  a  gun  fired  to  keep  the 
peace,  only  for  salutes." 

Mrs.  Cultus'  finished  production  proved  to  be  in  a  style 
quite  unique,  what  might  be  called  demi-semi-official  or  col- 
loquial-realistic, with  "side  tags"  to  inform  the  Club  in  what 
direction  the  region  might  be  further  "explored."  Of  course 
her  full  text  became  part  of  the  archives  of  the  Society,  but  her 
opening  and  closing  sentences  were  in  this  case  so  brilliant 
that  the  world  at  large  should  really  have  the  benefit  of  their 
luminosity.  No  expert  in  the  modern  school  of  English  com- 
position had  greater  appreciation  than  Mrs.  Cultus  of  the 
real  value  of  an  opening  sentence  to  attract  attention  in  the 
right  direction.  What  she  fired  off  at  the  Amateurs'  Topo- 
graphical thus  began : 

"We  are  supposed  to  be  in  Europe,  en  route  from  America 
to  Asia;  as  a  matter  of  fact  we  are  in  Africa,  just  across  the 
way.  I  write  from  the  Cafe  Maure,  in  order  to  get  the  flavor 
of  the  place."  With  her  literary  feet  thus  planted  on  four 
continents  at  once,  why,  of  course  the  Club  knew  precisely 
where  she  stood,  and  obtained  a  glimpse  of  the  habits  and 
customs  of  the  population,  also  of  Mrs.  Cultus  in  particular. 
Her  closing  sentence  was  also  a  masterpiece,  this  time  of 
imagery  and  charming  retrospection,  all  carefully  led  up  to 
by  a  vivid  description  of  the  Zok  or  market  place ;  introducing 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        127 

a  group  of  snake-charmers  at  work  charming,  fascinating  to 
•watch,  especially  fascinating  when  the  charmers,  accompanied 
by  tom-toms  and  a  sana  (tambourine),  appeared  to  eat  the 
snakes. 

"It  was  diabolical,"  wrote  Mrs.  Cultus ;  "I  fled,  and  called 
the  others  to  escape  fascination  also.  We  had  enough  of  the 
Zok  and  snakes.  Unfortunately,  camels  were  in  our  way. 
I  had  nothing  but  my  parasol  to  keep  the  beasts  off.  No 
doubt  they  too  had  been  fascinated  by  the  snakes,  for  a  hubbub 
arose  which  completely  demoralized  the  dromedaries.  A  camel 
with  both  humps  up  and  rear  legs  in  the  air  and  his  front 
legs  helping  him  to  scream  is  calculated  to  make  one  leave  his 
vicinity  unceremoniously.  We  did,  we  made  our  exit — sans 
ceremonie — as  I  have  the  profound  honor  of  now  doing  at  the 
end  of  this  report." 

And  the  Society  sent  her  a  note  of  appreciation  later  on  for 
the  sincere  observation  and  vivid  realism  displayed  in  her 
graphic  report — noblesse  oblige. 

But  in  the  meantime,  while  the  report  was  on  its  way  home, 
Mrs.  Cultus,  when  thinking  it  over,  seemed  not  quite  sure  as 
to  its  effect,  in  fact  rather  worried. 

"I  know,"  said  she,  "that  my  style  embodies  that  happy 
medium  between  dignity  and  frivolity  which  is  sure  to  take 
at  the  Club,  but,  oh,  just  suppose  somebody  has  described 
Tangiers  before !" 

Miss  Winchester  overheard  this  terrible  conjecture  with 
the  keen  interest  of  a  real  member  of  the  literary  craft,  and 
naturally  came  to  the  rescue  of  Mrs.  Cultus,  who  was  yet  a 
novice. 

"Tangiers ! — sung  about  before  ?  Not  more  frequently  than 
some  other  good  songs." 

"What  song  are  you  talking  about,  Frank  ?  I  sang  no  song." 

"  'Thou  art  like  unto  a  flower,  0  Tangiers !  so  pure,  so 
white,'  et  cetera.  A  Morocco  rose  by  any  other  name  will 
always  smell  as  sweet." 


128        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"Anyhow,  it's  Oriental,"  quoth  Mrs.  Cultus,  "and  that's 
what  I'm  after  just  at  present." 

Oriental — j'es;  they  had  heen  fascinated  by  their  first 
glimpse  of  the  Orient  and  its  surfeit  of  varied  impressions. 
From  this  time  forward  Adele  was  continually  looking  East- 
ward with  great  and  increasing  eagerness.  The  shores  of  the 
Mediterranean  had  yet  in  store  for  her  some  experiences  quite 
as  forcible  as  those  of  the  Atlantic  midocean,  but  she  knew  it 
not.  No  doubt  this  had  something  to  do  with  her  present 
mood  when  they  came  to  leave  Gibraltar,  and  she  stood  with 
Paul  and  the  Doctor  upon  deck,  watching  the  disappearance 
of  the  Eock. 

The  steamer  took  a  southerly  course  when  leaving  port, 
heading  for  the  African  shore,  then  bore  off  towards  the 
Orient,  which  was  the  real  goal  of  their  voyage.  When  pass- 
ing Europa  Point  the  impregnable  Rock,  with  terraced  forti- 
fications, loomed  up  in  gigantic  proportions;  seen  edgewise, 
its  decreased  width  added  to  the  apparent  height.  Lofty  and 
massive,  it  was  indeed  a  Pillar  of  Hercules  at  the  Gateway  of 
the  Inland  Sea. 

The  steamer  passed  into  more  open  waters,  the  Rock  rising 
higher  and  higher,  as  if  determined  to  assert  its  majesty,  no 
longer  a  pillar  but  a  column  of  Victory,  a  strong  and  mighty 
outpost  of  Europe,  an  advance  guard  of  that  domain  which 
lay  behind,  a  bulwark  of  defence,  a  salient  point  for  attack, 
a  formidable  diplomatic  menace  to  the  nomads  of  Africa — 
"Thus  far  shalt  thou  go  and  no  farther."  And  they  sailed 
onwards,  out  upon  the  blue  expanse  of  sea  and  sky;  the  land- 
scape receded  from  view  and  different  objects  sank  in  turn 
beneath  the  horizon.  The  graceful  curves  of  the  Iberian  coast 
faded  away  in  the  background,  the  mainland  of  Europe  but  a 
thin  line  in  the  distance ;  the  gateway  of  the  Straits  soon  fol- 
lowed, and  the  Atlantic,  highway  to  America  and  home,  was 
lost  to  sight.  There  was  naught  left  in  what  they  saw  to 
suggest  America. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       129 

As  the  ship  sailed  on,  the  sunlight  pouring  upon  the  sands 
of  Africa  produced  a  hazy,  luminous,  rose-tinted  mist  o'er  the 
Land  of  the  Moors,  the  mountains  of  Morocco  blended  away 
amid  the  fleecy  clouds  in  the  azure  of  distance. 

And  they  gazed  until  the  sombre  outline  of  the  Rock  alone 
remained,  an  isolated  dot  upon  the  waters.  A  fisherman's 
craft  scudded  across  the  open,  the  Eock  was  hidden  behind  a 
sail.  A  sea  gull  flitted  along  the  horizon,  the  Rock  was  no 
larger  than  a  bird.  The  human  eye  grew  weak  in  the  effort 
to  retain  its  whereabouts.  Could  it  yet  be  seen  ?  Yes,  it  is 
there — a  mere  speck  in  space !  No,  'tis  gone !  Gibraltar  had 
disappeared. 

Adele,  standing  between  the  Doctor  and  Paul,  clinging  to 
the  arms  of  her  good  friends,  looked  dreamily  upon  the 
vacancy.  In  thoughtful  silence  this  vivid  experience  in  life 
had  become  but  a  thing  of  the  past. 


130        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 


XX 

THE  ARTISTIC   SENSE 

What  is  the  long  and  short  of  it? 
Art  is  long,  life  is  short. 

AFTER  a  short  tour  through  Italy,  they  had  reached  the 
Vesuvian  Bay.  As  Mrs.  Cultus  expressed  it,  "Here- 
tofore we  have  been  visiting  lakes  and  crypts,  ruins 
and  picture  galleries,  and  now  at  last  have  met  a  volcano. 
It's  really  beautiful,  I  assure  you,  quite  as  artistic  as  in 
pictures,  and  set  in  a  frame  of  landscape  which  I  don't 
wonder  artists  love  to  paint.  I  feel  just  that  way  myself.  Oh, 
it  is  so  exquisite  with  these  sloping  shores !  and  in  the  distance 
that  beautiful  Island  of  Capri." 

Capri,  the  haunt  of  so  many  emperors  in  art  as  well  as  in 
government.  Capri,  favorite  of  the  imagination,  one  of  the 
enchanted  isles,  legendary  locality,  with  its  rustic  stone  ladder 
to  ascend  heavenward.  Capricious  Capri,  with  its  grotto  in 
blue,  whereas  ordinary  mortals  would  be  satisfied  with  grottoes 
in  green.  Picturesque  Capri,  with  rocky  foreground,  no 
middle  distance  whatever,  and  several  Paradises  in  the  back- 
ground. Mythological  Capri,  ever  under  the  watchful  eye  of 
Minerva  of  the  Promontory.  Sportive  Capri,  with  quails  on 
toast,  and  woodcocks  twice  a  year.  Historic  Capri,  famous 
to  the  antiquary  and  modern  economist;  infamous,  but  only 
in  days  gone  by. 

All  this  appeared  very  mysterious  on  the  morning  that  the 
Doctor  looked  from  Capo  da  Monti  over  the  Bay  of  Naples. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        131 

The  island,  enveloped  in  light  mist,  hung,  as  it  were,  in  mid- 
air between  sea  and  sky.    Adele  and  Paul  were  with  him. 

"Hazy  atmosphere,"  remarked  the  Doctor. 

"I  see  violet  tints,"  remarked  Adele.    "I  love  violets." 

"It  looks  as  if  the  island  had  no  weight/'  said  Paul;  "it 
might  be  blown  away  by  the  wind." 

"One  of  those  atmospheric  effects,"  continued  the  Doctor, 
"which  some  artists  portray  with  great  success  because  much 
is  left  to  the  imagination." 

"Then  the  other  fellow  imagines  what  he  likes  best;  safe, 
sure  plan  that ;  it  just  suits  me,"  said  Paul.  "All  the  pictures 
I  had  in  my  room  at  college  had  a  'go'  in  them,  and  I  imag- 
ined what  was  coming." 

"Happy  the  artist  who  has  the  art  of  suggestion.  It  is 
a  rare  gift;  inborn,  I  think — the  power  to  make  others  com- 
plete the  picture  by  reading  their  own  best  thoughts  into  it." 

"Some  seem  to  care  very  little  about  what  they  say,"  re- 
marked Adele.  "I  never  could  understand  why  they  paint 
a  woman  looking  at  herself  in  a  glass ;  one's  back  hair  should 
not  be  the  most  conspicuous  thing  in  the  picture;  and  as  to 
those  extraordinary  soap-bubble-cherubs,  they  don't  appeal  to 
me,  no  matter  how  well  they  are  painted." 

"What  sort  do  you  like?"  asked  Paul  the  innocent. 

"Why,  dancing,  of  course — dancing  on  one's  knee — that's 
the  place  they  would  enjoy  it  most,  stretching  out  their  arms 
in  play,  not  catching  flies.  Those  fly-catching  cherubs  are  just 
as  bad  as  the  bubblers." 

"How  much  you're  like  your  mother  at  times,"  thought  the 
Doctor  while  laughing;  then  audibly:  "You're  right,  Adele; 
art  never  is  very  high  unless  it  reaches  for  something  better 
than  catching  flies — fleeting  impressions." 

"Then  from  your  point  of  view,"  said  Paul,  "the  technical 
part  and  the  science  per  se  may  appeal  to  the  physical  and 
mental  only;  but  if  you  want  a  picture  to  be  thought  about 
afterwards,  the  subject  must  speak  to  the  spiritual  sense." 


132        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"Well,  rather!"  exclaimed  tlie  Doctor,  now  getting  some- 
what excited;  "and  more  than  that,  many  a  well  executed  work 
of  art  has  been  utterly  forgotten  simply  because  the  subject 
had  better  be  forgotten.  Some  artists  have  actually  killed 
their  pictures  before  they  first  touched  brush  to  canvas." 

Adele  appeared  to  agree  to  this,  but  said  nothing.  Paul 
was  not  so  loftily  mystical  in  bis  appreciation. 

"Perhaps  they  belong  to  the  'yellow'  school?" 

"And  have  the  jaundice  themselves?"  quoth  the  Doctor, 
warming  up;  "perhaps,  for  a  bad  subject  is  apt  to  have  bad 
influence.  No  picture  worthy  the  title  of  masterpiece  endures 
as  such  unless  it  possesses  the  spiritual  element  and  excites 
spiritual  perception  of  the  right  kind.  In  the  final  analysis, 
the  higher  spiritual  element  is  the  salvation  of  any  artistic 
production.  Woe  betide  the  artist  who  belittles  his  art  by 
what  might  be  called  aspiration  towards  the  low,  and  thinks 
to  justify  it  by  a  perfect  technique !  That  is  a  false  position 
for  a  true  man;  for  there  is  but  one  art — the  Art  Divine, 
which  cannot  be  debased  by  unworthy  association." 

"Of  course  you  mean  Music,"  said  Paul,  smiling.  "Now 
you're  off  on  your  hobby;  every  man  thinks  his  own 
hobby  the  best — his  art  divine.  You're  just  like  'em  all.  Doc  ! 
Look  out !  don't  measure  everything  by  your  own  pocket- 
rule."    The  Doctor  paid  no  attention. 

"In  other  arts  than  Music,"  said  he,  "the  physical  associa- 
tion is  so  intimate  and  permanent  that  the  artist  has  increased 
responsibility  in  consequence." 

"Then  greater  achievement  when  he  does  succeed,"  inter- 
rupted Adele. 

"Possibly,  but  not  probably,"  said  the  Doctor.  "I  only 
referred  to  music  because  it  furnishes  an  ideal  standard  by 
which  to  judge  of  the  unlimited  power  (of  course  divine,  if 
unlimited)  which  may  be  exercised  through  the  artistic  sense. 
For  instance,  Mozart's  ability  to  excite  pure  spiritual  aspira- 
tions towards  the  good  and  true  by  means  of  the  beautiful 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        133 

in  melodic  phrase,  was,  and  is  (for  he  is  immortal),  so  great 
that  those  who  yield  themselves  to  his  art  are  often  led  to  for- 
get even  the  debased  Don  Juan  (miserable  subject),  and  have 
pure  emotions  and  beautiful  visions  suggested  by  the  melodic 
beauty  of  the  music.  One  might  almost  say  Mozart's  inspired 
art  awakens  the  dormant  Angel  who  sleeps  within  the  nature 
of  every  man.  You  know  what  we  find  stated  in  Rau's  'Tone 
King'  about  him  ?" 

Adele  drew  close  to  listen. 

"Mozart,  when  on  the  border  land,  when  his  lovely  spirit 
so  melodious  in  expression  could  see  upwards  even  more  clearly 
than  around  and  about  him,  said  something  like  this: 

"  'All  work  is  divine,  and  raises  man  above  earth.  We  all 
love  earthly  things,  but  there  are  higher  delights  than  these. 
I,  too,  know  something  of  this  higher  joy  of  creating.  The 
faculties  God  has  given  me  render  me  happy;  but  I  feel  that 
these  powers  within  me  are  capable  of  fuller  development  in 
eternity.  To  think  that  my  power  of  producing  something 
great  and  fine  could  cease  just  when  it  begins  to  rise  to  the 
full  consciousness  of  all  that  might  be  accomplished,  would 
be  to  doubt  the  perfection  of  Divine  Wisdom — perhaps  my 
whole  being  may  be  absorbed  in  one  flow  of  immortal  harmony, 
for  the  musical  spheres  within  one  cannot  perish.' " 

After  a  pause,  the  Doctor  asked,  with  much  feeling: 

"I  suppose  you  know  what  all  this  means?" 

"Tell  us,"  whispered  Adele. 

"It  means  that  all  true  art  in  this  life  springs  from  Love 
Divine,  and  aids  in  bringing  life  and  immortality  to  light." 

As  the  Doctor  said  this  the  sound  of  a  simple,  plaintive 
melody  came  floating  upward  toward  the  crest  of  the  hill  on 
which  they  stood.    Paul  went  forward  to  see  whence  it  came. 

"Some  peasants  in  the  next  field;  one  is  singing,  another 
playing  a  pipe,  before  a  shrine." 

"Ah !"  exclaimed  the  Doctor ;  "not  the  first  time  that  shep- 


134        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

herds  abiding  in  a  field  have  heard  music  with  a  spiritual 

significance." 

"And  neither  a  Mozart  nor  very  fine  art,"  remarked  Paul. 
Adele  stood  musing,  then  added,  in  a  subdued  voice: 
"Yes;  it  is  yet  bringing  Life  and  Immortality  to  Light." 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        135 


XXI 

AN  ARTIST  WITH  DOUBLE  VISION 

THEY  were  again  overlooking  the  Vesuvian  Bay,  Capri 
still  in  the  distance,  but  more  distinct,  not  unlike  a 
phantom  appearing  and  disappearing  as  the  mist 
passed  by.  The  intermediate  space  was  much  clearer,  more 
light,  better  definition,  as  photographers  say, 

"Paul,"  began  the  Doctor,  "you  remember  George  Le  Roy, 
the  artist  we  met  at  Tarpon  Bayou,  Florida?  He  is  now  at 
Capri.'' 

"Good  V  exclaimed  Paul.  "A  genius  if  ever  there  was  one. 
He  takes  me  a  walk  out  into  the  country  whenever  I  look  at 
his  pictures." 

"  *Art  is  his  religion,'  so  he  says,"  quoth  the  Doctor.  "His 
palette  and  his  Bible  tell  the  same  story,  or  something  like 
that." 

"I  can't  tell  exactly  why  I  like  his  pictures,"  said  Paul, 
"but  I  do." 

"His  pictures  speak,"  said  the  Doctor ;  "they  echo  the  Mind 
of  Nature,  the  Voice,  yet  he  never  copies  a  tree  or  a  cloud. 
You  hear  something  said  to  you,  yet  not  a  word  spoken.  Now, 
Paul,  that's  quite  as  high  a  flight  for  the  artist  as  one  is  apt 
to  find  in  figure  painting." 

"Oh,  I  can't  agree  with  you  there.  The  human  form  re- 
quires far  greater  ability  to  portray;  one  must  depict  action, 
and  emotions,  too — in  fact,  a  better  draughtsman  is  required." 

The  Doctor  took  him  up. 

"No  doubt  greater  accuracy  in  detail,  correct  eye  for  form, 
knowledge  of  anatomy  to  make  the  figure  plastic,  and  intense 


13G        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

feeling  to  give  power  to  convey  to  others  the  idea  of  emotions ; 
but  when  it  comes  to  exciting  emotions  the  landscape  artist  has 
a  field  bountiful  with  opportunity  for  spiritual  insight  and  sig- 
nificance— as  a  matter  of  fact^  figures  themselves  need  not 
be  ignored,  but  made  accessory." 

"The  world  and  his  wife  don't  value  landscapes  as  highly 
as  you  do,"  remarked  Paul,  cogitating.  "Who  ever  sees  all 
that  in  a  landscape? — why,  the  average  man  wouldn't  like 
it  if  he  did  see  it."    This  somewhat  nettled  the  Doctor. 

"The  average  man !  that  pretentious  individual  who  always 
thinks  of  himself  as  Lord  of  Creation — let  him  keep  on  think- 
ing of  his  physique  and  physical  comforts.  I  enjoy  good 
landscapes  for  the  very  reason  that  they  lift  one  above  all  that ; 
they  respond  to  something  better,  and  that  settles  it  for  me. 
I  enjoy  having  inspiring  landscapes  always  where  I  can  see 
them ;  there  are  precious  few  faces  of  which  I  can  say  the  same 
thing."  Then  he  added,  as  if  mindful  of  one  in  particular: 
"Some  faces  never  respond;  I  take  to  the  woods  to  get  rid 
of  'em,  as  I  often  leave  a  portrait  for  a  landscape." 

The  Doctor  was  getting  roused.  Paul  detected  it  and  con- 
cluded to  laugh  the  matter  off. 

"Why  not  take  your  piano  with  you.  Doctor — to  the  woods  ?" 

"I  would  if  I  could.  Gottschalk  did;  and  others  to-day, 
like  him  in  that  respect,  do  seek  fresh  thoughts  and  sounds 
direct  from  Nature.  Saint-Saens  does ;  he  told  me  so  during 
some  talks  we  had  when  out  in  far  east  Ceylon ;  and  he  is  the 
most  notable  living  expert  in  different  forms  of  musical  com- 
position, ranging  from  complicated  rhythmic  conceits  to 
serious  harmonies  well  nigh  sublime.  As  to  Edvard  Grieg, 
I  caught  him  in  the  very  act,  entranced  by  Nature's  strange 
moods  and  melodies  amid  the  waterfalls  of  his  beloved  Norway. 
And  Beethoven !  ah  !  there  is  the  real  test !  Beethoven's  most 
profound  utterances  are  but  the  unadulterated  deep  sounds 
and  chords  from  Nature,  both  felt  and  heard  when  others 
thought  him  deaf.    His  experience  was  in  the  woods  of  Aus- 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        137 

tria,  and  if  we  do  not  hear  now,  elsewhere,  when  he  yet  speaks, 
we  do  not  really  comprehend  Beethoven,  how  he  transmuted 
into  another  form  that  which  exists  in  Nature.  Blessed  be  his 
name !  for  he  did  it  that  we,  too,  might  hear.  And  we  call 
that  Art. 

"Well,  there's  one  advantage  about  a  piano  in  the  woods," 
teased  Paul. 

"What's  that?" 

"You'll  be  more  comfortable,  and  possibly  less  moist  than 
the  other  fellow." 

"What  other  fellow?" 

"The  one  who  sat  on  a  wet  cloud  peeking  at  a  harp — ask 
Widow  Bedot." 

Evidently  Paul  was  trying  to  escape  a  serious  discussion. 
Fortunately  for  both,  Adele  came  to  the  rescue.  She  perceived 
that  men  of  such  different  temperaments  could  seldom  see 
anything  from  the  same  point  of  view  unless  it  was  the  result 
of  a  similar  or  simultaneous  experience,  and  that  with  Paul 
the  personality  of  the  artist  should  go  far  to  promote  a  thor- 
ough appreciation  of  his  work. 

"It  strikes  me,"  said  Adele,  "neither  of  you  knows  all  that 
may  be  said  on  that  subject." 

"H'm!"  ejaculated  the  Doctor,  looking  out  of  the  corner 
of  his  eye. 

"Or  else  you're  not  thinking  about  the  same  thing." 

"Give  it  up,"  laughed  Paul.  "I  was  with  the  Widow  on 
that  cloud." 

"Then,  isn't  it  just  possible,  a  wee  bit  possible,  that  a  land- 
scape artist  himself,  Mr.  Le  Roy,  for  instance,  should  know 
more  about  such  things  than  either  of  us?" 

"/ill  right;  we'll  visit  him,"  said  the  Doctor;  "take  a  run 
over  to  Capri  for  the  sake  of  our — artistic  health." 

"You  mean  your  credit  as  a  critic,"  thought  Adele. 

The  venerable  artist,  nearly  seventy  years  of  age,  gave  them 


138        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

a  cordial  welcome,  his  sharp  eyes  sparkling  behind  his  old- 
fashioned  spectacles ;  a  man  of  medium  height,  with  evidently 
no  thought  to  throw  away  on  mere  matter  of  dress.  His  light- 
colored  soft  hat  covered  a  mass  of  touzled  hair,  with  a  few 
streaks  of  gray;  his  beard  was  sparse  on  the  cheeks  and  lux- 
uriant on  the  chin. 

The  Doctor  looked  with  interest  at  his  thin  hands  and  his 
hectic  cheeks ;  then  noticed  his  forcible  action  as  he  walked 
and  talked.  Outward  signs  of  a  highly  nervous,  impulsive 
temperament  were  very  pronounced. 

"He  looks  more  like  an  impractical,  enthusiastic  mystic 
than  ever,"  pondered  the  Doctor;  "even  more  so  them  when 
I  met  him  years  ago — no  doubt  Italy  suits  him  as  he  ages  in 
spiritual  discernment.  He  certainly  can  give  very  powerful 
impressions  when  he  paints,  and  to  all  sorts  and  conditions 
of  men;  how  remarkable,  yet  quite  reasonable,  that  a  man 
so  frail  as  he  should  produce  such  effects  of  power.  I  suppose 
it  is  the  intensity  of  kis  visions  which  makes  him  great.  I 
wonder  how  Paul  the  practical  will  size  him  up  ?" 

The  artist  was  talking  to  Paul  about  fresh  air  and  the  de- 
lightful life  at  Capri. 

"Then  you  paint  in  the  open?"  asked  Paul. 

"Well,  yes,  and  no.  Of  course,  one  must  go  out,  but  not 
necessarily  far — all  is  near  at  hand.  The  paysage  intime,  as 
it  was  called  at  Barbizon,  is  here,  too,  as  we  also  found  it 
in  Florida.  There's  a  sort  of  unity  in  nature,  and  in  it  we 
live  and  move  and  have  our  being.  It  is  a  vast  thing,  that 
unity,  but  it  is  close  to  us  also.  The  landscape  picture  may 
convey  a  comprehensive  impression  very  large,  out  of  propor- 
tion to  its  actual  subject.  Art,  you  know,  is  but  part  of  the 
universal-plan,  and  like  both  science  and  religion,  must  drop 
into  its  appropriate  place." 

Paul  seemed  interested,  also  somewhat  amused.  "Fresh 
air  certainly  does  surround  everything,  and  no  doubt  there 
is  a  universal-plan  in  nature;  but  why  mix  up  art,  fresh  air 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        139 

and  the  universal-plan  in  that  way?"  Paul  wondered  how  a 
fellow  who  could  paint  such  practical  pictures,  so  true  to  life, 
should  talk  so  vaguely.  "He's  a  high-flyer.  I  like  his  fresh, 
air  and  his  pictures  better  than  his  queer  sentiments." 

Now,  what  Doctor  Wise  especially  desired  to  learn  was,  not 
what  other  people  thought  of  Mr.  Le  Roy,  but  how  he  him- 
self satisfied  his  own  keen,  analytical  sense.  How  Le  Roy 
worked,  not  in  mere  allegorical  figure,  but,  going  directly  to 
nature,  discovered  and  conveyed  something  worth  portraying. 
For  it  was  well  known  in  art  circles  that  Le  Roy  had  slowly 
gathered  together  his  own  theories  as  to  nature  and  what  na- 
ture could  give  him,  and  of  the  Immortality  of  Art.  The 
conversation,  therefore,  took  that  turn. 

"Every  artist,"  said  Le  Roy,  "has  his  own  feeling,  and  if 
he  develops  it,  may  be  a  great  artist  in  his  way ;  yet,  the  other 
schools,  the  men  with  other  methods  and  ideas,  may  not  recog- 
nize the  merit  in  his  work." 

"Can  this  matter  of  feeling  be  explained  in  words  ?"  asked 
Adele. 

"I  think  so,  having  made  a  thorough  and  complete  theory 
of  it.  I  am  now  seventy  years  of  age,  and  the  whole  study 
of  my  life  has  been  to  find  out  what  it  is  that  is  in  myself — 
what  is  this  thing  we  call  Life — and  how  does  it  operate.  The 
idea  has  become  clearer  and  clearer;  and  as  we  see  that  the 
Creator  never  makes  any  two  things  alike,  nor  any  two  men 
alike,  therefore  every  man  has  a  different  impression  of  what 
he  sees,  and  that  impression  constitutes  feeling,  so  every  man 
has  a  different  feeling." 

The  Doctor's  face  lighted  up  as  he  eagerly  drank  in  these 
words.  Here  was  the  "imlimited,"  the  very  thing  he  had 
heard  so  much  about — the  unlimited  with  a  vengeance.  He 
knew  that  varied  mentality  and  temperament  among  musicians 
who  were  artists  often  produced  discord,  but  here  was  a  suc- 
cessful artist  of  ripest  maturity  who  insisted  that  no  two  ar- 
tists were  ever  alike — all  received  different  impressions,  all 


140        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

had  different  feelings.  Evidently  everything  or  anything 
might  be  expected  from  an  artist.  "Hurrah  for  the  typical 
artistic  capacity  and  temperament ;  feelings  of  endless  variety 
and  scope,  hence  unlimited."  Such  was  the  Doctor's  interpre- 
tation— the  way  it  impressed  him. 

Le  Eoy  continued : 

"As  to  sitting  at  the  feet  of  nature  for  inspiration,  that 
came  to  my  mind  in  the  beginning  of  my  career.  I  went 
instinctively  to  her,  and  drawn  by  a  sympathetic  feeling,  I  put 
something  on  canvas.  It  was  not  always  a  correct  portrayal 
of  the  scene,  but  only  something  more  or  less  like  what  I  had 
in  mind.  Other  artists  and  certain  Philistines  would  see  it 
and  exclaim,  "Yes!  there  is  a  certain  charm  about  it.  Did 
you  paint  it  outside  ? — because  if  you  did,  you  could  not  have 
seen  this,  that  and  the  other." 

"Of  course  I  could  not  deny  it,  and  thought  I  ought  to 
improve  my  method.  Being  young,  I  then  took  it  for  granted 
that  we  saw  physically,  and  with  the  physical  eye  only.  What 
I  had  to  learn  was  that  a  true  artist  has  two  sets  of  eyes :  the 
one  physical,  the  other  spiritual." 

Adele  began  to  be  uneasy  lest  the  Doctor  should  at  once 
claim  three  pairs  of  eyes,  physical,  mental,  and  spiritual,  one 
of  his  own  theories  about  such  things,  so  she  appealed  to 
the  artist  as  quickly  as  possible. 

"What  did  you  do  about  it,  Mr.  Le  Roy?" 

"At  first  I  tried  to  paint  what  I  thought  I  saw,  calling 
memory  to  supply  the  missing  details." 

"And  the  result?" 

"The  picture  had  no  charm  whatever;  there  was  nothing 
beautiful  about  it.  I  asked  myself  why  it  is  that  when  I  try 
to  do  my  duty  and  paint  faithfully  I  achieve  so  little,  but  when 
I  care  little  for  so-called  faitliful  duty  and  accuracy  I  get 
something  more  or  less  admirable." 

"Oh!"  exclaimed  the  Doctor,  "I  presume  the  first  pair  of 
eyes  is  always  imitative,  that  is  to  say,  photographic,  and 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       141 

copies;  the  second,  artistic  or  spiritual — but  how  about  the 
third  pair,  the  intermediate?" 

"Whose?"  asked  Le  Eoy. 

"The  highly  intellectual  critic's,  self -constituted." 

'*'0h,  the  critic !  He  always  sees  more  than  I  do,"  laughed 
Le  Roy.    "Let  him  pass ;  what  I  wish  to  tell  you  is  this : 

"Little  by  little  I  began  to  find  out  that  my  feeling  was 
governed  by  a  principle,  and  I  needed  to  find  out  the  law  under 
which  it  would  act — the  law  of  the  unit,  that  is,  of  impression ; 
although  I  did  not  then  understand  it  as  such." 

Paul  thought  this  a  rather  big  undertaking,  to  discover  any 
law  which  would  apply  to  all  feelings,  no  two  alike.  Le  Roy 
continued : 

"Landscape  is  a  constant  repetition  of  the  same  thing  under 
different  forms  and  in  a  different  feeling.  When  we  go  out- 
doors our  minds  are  underloaded  in  some,  overloaded  in  others 
— we  don't  know  where  to  go  to  work.  We  can  only  achieve 
som.ething  if  we  have  an  ambition  so  powerful  as  to  forget 
ourselves  and  grasp  whatever  nature  may  give  from  any 
source;  that  is  to  say,  one  must  be  up  in  the  science  of  his 
art.  To  be  able  to  dl-aw  what  you  feel,  you  must  first  of  all 
be  able  to  draw  what  you  see.  There  can  be  no  true  color 
without  true  form.  In  other  words,  to  create  an  impression 
you  must  have  both  knowledge  and  technique  to  do  so." 

This  statement  pleased  the  Doctor  immensely,  a  clear  recog- 
nition of  the  great  philosophic  truth  that  in  the  nature  of 
things  science  and  art  are  both  essential  under  the  law  of  im- 
pression in  order  to  produce  the  best  work.  Now,  what  could 
the  artist  say  about  the  higher  spiritual  element  ? 

The  reply  came:  "If  a  man  could  be  as  God  when  he  is 
painting  outside  (perfection,  thought  the  Doctor),  then  it 
would  be  easy  enough;  but,  as  he  cannot,  he  must  fall  back 
on  science.  It  is  not  possible  for  us  to  establish  a  measuring 
point  in  art — not  in  a  broad,  general  sense.  Even  the  early 
masters  of  the  Renaissance  were  not  always  perfect  in  tech- 


142        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

nique ;  they  sought  sympathy,  not  applause ;  and  their  results 
will  always  remain  pre-eminent  and  authoritative  in  the  do- 
main of  impression."  Le  Roy  seemed  strong  in  his  convictions 
about  this,  and  followed  up  his  thoughts  with  a  still  more 
comprehensive  statement :  "The  worst  of  it  is  that  all  thinkers 
are  apt  to  become  dogmatic,  and  every  dogma  fails  because 
it  does  not  give  us  the  other  side." 

"Then  it  restricts  the  truth  to  one  point  of  view  ?"  inquired 
the  Doctor. 

"Yes — and  the  same  applies  to  all  things,  to  religion  as  well 
as  to  art.  A  man  who  thinks  must  find  a  third  element  be- 
sides the  science  of  his  art  for  his  standpoint  of  reason.  There 
is  a  Trinity  operative  in  regard  to  this." 

All  the  party  now  strained  every  nerve  to  catch  the  words 
as  they  fell  from  the  great  artist's  lips. 

"At  one  time  I  took  up  the  science  of  geometry  because 
I  considered  it  the  only  abstract  truth;  the  diversion  of  the 
arc  of  consciousness,  and  so  on.  No  one  can  conceive  the 
mental  struggles  and  torments  I  endured  before  I  could  master 
the  whole  thing.  I  knew  the  principle  was  true,  but  in  prac- 
tice it  seemed  contradictory.  I  had  constantly  to  violate  my 
principles  to  get  in  my  feeling." 

"Purely  intellectual  effort,"  thought  the  Doctor,  "must 
ever  fail,  in  the  very  nature  of  things."    Le  Roy  continued: 

"I  used  this  mathematical  mode  of  thought  as  my  third, 
together  with  natural  science  and  the  art,  to  form  the  stable 
tripod-standpoint  of  reason.  I  found  it  enabled  me  to  keep 
the  imderstanding  under  perfect  control,  except " 

"Except  when?"  interrupted  the  Doctor,  nervously.  "Was 
not  pure  mathematics  always  invariably  sufficient  to  attain 
stability  and  confidence?" 

"Except  when  I  overworked  myself,  then  I  was  mentally 
tired,  my  spirit  not  satisfied — I  got  wobbly,  like  any  one  else." 

"Now  what  do  you  do?"  asked  Adele,  in  thorough  sym- 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       143 

pathy,  her  lovely  black  eyes,  full  of  intelligence,  meeting  those 
of  the  venerable  philosopher  in  art. 

"What  do  I  do,  my  child?    What  do  I  do?" 

"Therein  lies  the  secret  of  my  life." 


144        A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST 


XXII 

THE  SECRET  OF  A  LIFE 

ALL  waited  reverently  -until  the  venerable  artist  was 
ready  to  explain.  They  watched  him  take  off  his 
spectacles  and  polish  them,  so  that  his  physical  sight 
might  aid  his  mental  vision,  and  his  spiritual  insight  assert  its 
potency.  He  stepped  across  his  studio  toward  one  of  his  superb 
paintings — a  landscape  in  which  a  wealth  of  rich  coloring 
streamed  forth  from  behind  dark,  luxuriant  foliage.  At  first 
sight  "the  related  masses  of  color  rather  than  the  linear  exten- 
sions" was  what  appealed  to  the  beholder,  as  if,  as  a  work  of 
art,  it  was  not  intended  to  instruct  or  edify,  but  to  awaken  an 
emotion.  Le  Roy  stood  with  one  hand  held  forth  toward  the 
picture;  his  other,  as  the  Doctor  noticed,  rested  naturally,  un- 
ostentatiously, upon  a  sacred  volume  lying  upon  a  table  at  his 
left,  as  if  he  wished  to  feel  in  physical  touch  with  that  book 
while  he  spoke. 

"You  ask  me  what  I  do  in  the  final  resort — what  I  do  when 
both  science  and  art  grow  weak  and  unstable. 

"I  retire  to  be  alone,  take  only  certain  books  with  me,  and 
write,  applying  the  principles  I  have  already  experienced  as 
true  in  art  to  the  purest  of  all  forms  of  reasoning,  theology — 
religious  truths  scientifically  stated.  Speaking  of  and  with 
God  in  nature  is  the  saving,  the  salvation  of  my  art.  The 
impressions  I  then  receive  are  what  you  see  in  my  pictures 
and  ask  me  to  explain.  That  is  the  feeling  you  recognize  and 
the  sentiment  you  appreciate.     You  see  and  appreciate  pre- 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        145 

cisely  in  accordance  with  your  own  experience  in  personal 
religion,  no  more,  no  less.  You  are  part  of  the  truth  in  unity 
just  as  I  am ;  we  all  have  the  soul  for  the  beautiful,  the  beau- 
tiful soul  within  us.  One  Father  breathed  into  each  man  when 
he  became  a  living  soul  in  beauty  of  mind  and  spirit.  In  a 
way,  I  worship  through  my  paintings. 

"I  know  I  have  always  had  this  power;  all  of  us,  when  at 
our  best,  know  we  have  it  in  some  degree,  creative  or  respon- 
sive— but  I  did  not  always  understand  the  principles  which 
govern  it.  Science  now  assures  me  it  is  the  truth.  The  unit 
law  of  impression,  you  now  see,  demands  the  three  in  one, 
Science,  Art,  and  Communion  with  the  Holy  Spirit  of  Truth, 
God  in  nature. 

"People  ask  me  why  I  keep  on  painting,  old  as  I  am,  and 
I  answer :  Simply  because  of  a  constraining  force  from  beyond 
me,  from  without,  something  which  lifts  me  higher  and  higher 
toward  finding  the  very  best  forms  of  truthful  expression. 
Of  course  this  development  must  depend  in  a  measure  on 
physical  strength  and  individual  endowment.  I  am  obliged  to 
watch  myself  that  I  do  not  overwork,  and  when  I  grow  weary 
of  painting  then  I  open  the  Book — the  Source  of  Wisdom. 
This  gives  me  the  only  point  of  view,  except  the  artistic,  which 
interests  me — in  fact,  art  and  religion  are  very  closely  con- 
nected." 

Le  Eoy  ceased  speaking  and  stood  thoughtfully  before  his 
wonderful  picture — verily  his  masterpiece,  in  that  it  rose  to 
a  height  of  spiritual  suggestion  he  had  not  before  attained, 
and  by  means  the  best  he  knew.  His  eyes  were  fixed  upon  it, 
and  he  seemed  to  become  oblivious  to  his  surroundings. 

Adele  drew  near,  the  Doctor  and  Paul  close  behind  her ;  the 
grouping  itself  was  suggestive.  The  artist-philosopher,  mys- 
tic and  artistic;  the  inquisitive  Doctor,  sincere  and  at  times 
metaphysical;  the  practical  Paul,  true  and  observing;  and 
Adele,  an  idealist — all  dominated  by  a  landscape  utterly  de- 
void of  figures. 


146        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

A  pure  landscape.  The  beholder  stood  upon  a  moderate 
elevation,  a  grove  of  trees  on  his  left,  the  branches  covering 
the  upper  part  of  the  canvas.  Looking  forward,  a  valley;  a 
village  nestled  below,  telling  of  happy  homes  and  playgrounds, 
and  near  by  the  parish  church,  where  the  belfry  chimes  could 
almost  be  heard.  Through  openings  in  the  grove  and  in  the 
broader  expanse  were  cultivated  fields,  and  faintly  outlined 
was  a  winding  stream  meandering  off  toward  the  horizon ;  the 
course  of  the  stream  broken  by  woodlands  and  far  distant 
bluffs,  the  bluffs  lessening  to  a  point  in  mid-distance,  where 
the  stream  for  a  time  was  concealed  behind  the  foliage  on  its 
banks.  As  observed  by  the  physical  eye  trained  to  seek  many 
lines  and  complicated  perspective  it  was  truly  a  very  simple, 
modern  subject,  embodying  little  more  than  elementary  draw- 
ing. But  what  had  this  great  artist  seen  by  spiritual  insight 
dominating  his  art?  What  impression  had  the  Spirit  that  is 
Holy,  the  Creator  with  whom  he  had  spoken  when  alone,  re- 
vealed to  him?  What  had  "the  candle  of  the  Lord,"  within 
himself,  illumined?' 

An  early  morning,  the  atmosphere  clear  and  transparent, 
with  fleecy  clouds  pure  and  chaste,  late  draperies  of  the  flying 
night,  so  delicately  refined  in  form  and  shade,  with  light  and 
shadow,  that  with  the  birth  of  a  new  day  the  resurrection 
from  the  dawn  became  brilliant  with  color.  Every  cloud  and 
celestial  vista,  every  hillside,  undulation,  meadow,  stream, 
stone,  branch,  leaf  and  leaflet  gave  its  own  responsive  reflec- 
tion of  the  Brightness  of  the  Coming.  Each  diversified  form 
was  alive  with  the  inspiration  caught  and  expressed  by  tints 
and  hues  in  the  harmony  of  colors.  So  brilliant  were  some 
of  the  combinations  nature  had  called  for,  that  the  artistic 
sense  demanded  that  they  should  be  partly  hidden  behind  the 
darker  foliage.  A  vision  of  this  world  as  it  is,  yet  looking 
towards  something  more  beautiful,  heavenward.  Earth  ideal- 
ized by  the  artist's  dream,  to  a  reality  too  lavish  for  the 
credulity  of  ordinary  experience.    None,  unless  with  the  artist 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        147 

(he  had  seen  with  the  eyes  of  the  Spirit  as  well  as  of  Science 
and  of  Art),  would  have  credited  the  glorious  impression 
so  simple  a  landscape  could  give ;  therefore  the  sombre  contrast 
had  been  introduced.  The  artistic  sense  had  controlled  the 
flight  of  imagination,  and  deeper  shadows  told  each  beholder 
to  look  within  and  complete  the  scenes  from  his  own  experi- 
ence. Let  us  approach  more  closely,  and  go  with  the  artist 
nearer  to  the  inner  recesses  of  the  heart  of  nature. 

Among  the  shadows  what  had  the  Spirit  suggested?  "The 
place  whereon  thou  standest  is  Holy  Ground." 

The  beholders  are  upon  an  elevation,  and  close  at  hand  in 
the  subdued  light  a  group  of  trees,  modestly  conspicuous 
among  others  in  the  grove.  Vines  encircle  and  climb  their 
trunks,  and  blossoms  glorify  the  branches  on  either  side.  The 
central  vine  is  more  luxuriant  than  the  others,  and  its  flowers, 
tinged  with  a  roseate  glow,  much  akin  to  flesh  tints  in  nature. 

The  vine  and  its  branches  are  waving  in  the  wind ;  they 
take  graceful  forms  and  scatter  blossoms  at  the  beholders' 
feet.  To  every  lover  of  nature  and  weary  one  who  seeks  re- 
pose it  is  a  vision  of  beauty  and  rest  now,  and  a  promise  of 
rest  to  come. 

The  artist  seemed  especially  fond  of  this  feature  in  his 
work;  his  eyes  repeatedly  reverted  from  the  glorious  coloring 
he  had  given  to  the  sky  and  the  heavens  above,  to  this  notable 
detail  in  shadow. 

"May  I  ask  what  flower  you  intend  to  suggest  ?"  said  Adele. 

"A  passion  vine.  It  climbs  aloft  among  the  ordinary  forest 
trees;  some  life-plants  grow  at  its  feet;  the  Eose  of  Sharon 
is  in  bloom  among  the  shrubs,  and  I  leave  to  your  imagination 
the  lilies-of-the-valley  in  the  grass  beneath.  One  of  my  im- 
pressions when  alone  was,  that  a  cross  might  have  once  stood  in 
such  a  place  in  the  years  gone  by,  when  the  mount  was  bare 
and  bleak;  since  then  nature  has  shown  her  constant  kind- 
ness, for  she  abhors  the  void  of  bleakness  and  barrenness  in 
such  a  place,  and  has  covered  the  mount  with  lovely  foliage. 


148        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

But  the  vision,  the  sight  and  the  site  of  the  cross  remain; 
you  may  find  the  suggestion  here — it  upholds  the  vine  and  the 
branches,  and  the  flowers  are  cradled  in  its  arms. 

''The  cross  is  conceived  as  in  bloom;  and  to  me  all  the 
beauty  is  greatly  enhanced  by  one  precious  significance — the 
same  light  in  nature  which  so  brilliantly  illumines  the  celestial 
cloud  vistas  also  gives  the  roseate  tint  to  the  flowers  upon  the 
cross. 

"That  is  'a,  creation' — ^by  the  artist,"  meditated  Adele. 

"Through  nature,  looking  upward,"  remarked  Paul,  pensive. 

"The  crucifixion  itself  is  marvellously  beautiful,"  said  the 
Doctor,  "when  portrayed  in  landscape  without  a  figure  upon 
the  scene.  How  great  is  genius  in  art,  if  it  is  endowed  with  a 
gift  for  spiritual  impressions." 

Adele  put  her  arm  in  Paul's  as  they  walked  along,  ponder- 
ing over  what  they  had  seen.  "  The  Cross  in  bloom,  illumined 
by  the  Light  of  the  World.  The  Divine  in  Art  has  both  sought 
and  spoken  the  Word."  She  thought  of  how  the  artist  had 
searched  the  Book  of  Wisdom ;  and  she  recalled  what  had  long 
since  been  written  therein  about  such  Words  spoken  in  nature 
and  in  history :  "They  are  they  which  testify  of  Me." 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        149 


XXIII 

OLYMPUS — COURT    FESTIVITIES 

SAILING  down  the  Adriatic,  the  Ionian  Isles  finally  rose 
above  the  bosom  of  the  sea;  before  them  lay  modern 
Greece,  with  its  landscape  and  atmosphere  still  popu- 
lated with  the  legendary  divinities  of  ancient  times.  Mrs. 
Cultus  adjusted  her  eye-glasses  to  catch  first  glimpse  of 
Olympus,  evidently  under  the  impression  that  the  Mountain 
of  the  Gods  towered  over  Greece  much  as  Fuji  Yama  does 
over  Japan.  She  found  it  did,  but  not  precisely  as  she  had 
anticipated. 

As  to  Adele  and  Paul,  they  were  becoming  more  susceptible 
to  impressions  subtle,  if  not  mystical,  than  ever  before.  Being 
in  the  region  of  the  old-time  divinities  the  influence  of  those 
deities  at  the  Court  of  Olympus,  whose  especial  duty  was  to 
direct  love  affairs,  began  to  be  felt.  So  potent  was  this  influ- 
ence that  the  lovers  became  intensely  absorbed  in  watching  for 
Aphrodite,  lest  she  might  rise  from  the  sea  at  any  turn  of 
the  tide.  They  had  heard  how,  in  modern  times,  she  often 
arose  at  other  points  than  Cyprus. 

As  the  vessel  proceeded  southward,  a  new  Olympus  was  con- 
stantly discovered  and  pointed  out.  This  was  great  sport  to 
Miss  Winchester;  such  an  accommodating  guide-book 
mountain  she  had  not  before  encountered. 

"How  many  mountain  resorts  does  our  present  Zeus  keep 
up  ?"  asked  she  of  the  Captain,  a  jolly  sailor. 

"Oh,  wherever  you  see  storm  clouds  around  the  highlands, 
there's  some  fun  going  on." 


150        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"Any  court  festivities,  any  Apollo  bands  or  musical  sands 
to  entertain  Court  circles  ?" 

"Apollo  is  not  popular  at  this  season — since  rag-time  came 
in,  the  lyrique  and  doggerel  have  gone  out — the  old  accom- 
paniment was  too  sleepy." 

"But  I  must  hear  Orpheus  on  a  lute,  or  Pan  give  a  toot." 

"Orpheus  played  last  at  a  ball  game,"  said  the  Captain. 

"Too  dulcet?" 

"Not  enough  wood  wind  and  brassy;  the  boys  said  too 
lugubrious.    They  came  to  play  ball,  not  to  shed  tears." 

"And  poor  Orpheus?" 

"Went  off  with  an  organ  grinder;  now  his  name  only  ap- 
pears on  Club  letter  paper  and  headings  for  concert  pro- 
grammes.   He  manages  to  get  into  print,  but  he  never  plays." 

"How  discouraging  to  art  and  musicians !  Alas !  alas ! 
But  apropos  of  games,  what  is  the  popular  athletic  sport  now- 
a-days  around  Olympus?" 

"Chasing  quinine  pills — a  caddy  holds  the  pills.  You  take 
the  pills  and  then  chase  'em  'over  the  hills  and  far  away.' " 

"For  the  health,  I  presume?" 

"Of  course;  the  discus  has  gone  out,  but  this  later  game 
makes  more  discussion  than  the  discus  ever  did.  Golf  goes 
first-rate  in  Greek  costume.  You  ought  to  see  it.  Scotchmen 
outdone." 

"How  about  'events' — athletic  events  ?" 

"Oh,  events  always  occur  in  the  Stadium." 

"Bless  me,  how  exciting !    But  it  sounds  very  stationary." 

"The  victor  generally  does  feel  puffed  up,"  said  the  Captain. 
"During  the  last  Olympiad  a  local  divinity  came  down  (from 
up  the  country)  and  accumulated  such  centrifugal  force  in 
running  that  he  flew  off  to  Thermopylas  or  Marathon,  some 
outside  place  or  other,  caught  hold  of  the  post  there,  swung 
himself  round  and  slid  into  the  Stadium  in  fine  style." 

"What  honors  did  he  receive — laurel  or  oak  wreath  ?" 

"Think  it  was  fig  leaves,"  remarked  the  sailor  Captain,  "but 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       151 

I  am  not  sure.  At  any  rate  he  was  a  hero.  The  town  gave  him 
free  entrance  to  all  the  beer  saloons  for  life,  a  new  pair  of 
sandals  with  wings  and  honors  galore." 

"How  appreciative!    Discriminating  public !" 

"Sure !  His  name  was  engraved  in  the  most  honorable  place 
possible." 

"How  was  that?" 

"At  the  foot  of  the  list  of  victors  from  B.  C.  1776,  or  there- 
abouts, to  A.  D.  1896.  He  can  no  doubt  stand  the  honor,  but 
I  doubt  about  the  beer." 

"May  I  ask  his  name?" 

"Name — his  name — let  me  see,  what  was  his  name?  It 
escapes  me  just  at  present.  I'll  ask  the  steward  some  time, 
he's  up  in  such  things,"  and  the  Captain  went  off  to  superin- 
tend the  passage  of  his  vessel  through  the  narrow  channel 
between  the  islands  and  the  mainland. 

"There's  modern  fame  !"  thought  Miss  Winchester.  "After 
winning  an  Olympiad,  to  be  labeled  No.  3672,  approx.,  name 
forgotten  and  soon  marked  'Unknown.' " 


152        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 


XXIV 

THE    GODS    INTERFERE 

WHILE  in  the  vicinity  of  01}Tnpus  it  was,  of  course, 
quite  natural  for  the  gods  to  take  an  interest  in 
Adele  and  Paul  at  this  critical  period  in  their 
affairs.  They  had  heard  of  Adele  as  an  Idyl — and  assumed 
her  to  be  an  interesting,  romantic  and  possibly  poetic  little 
creature,  and  in  their  old-time  way  of  looking  at  things  were 
far  from  imagining  what  a  modern  American  Idyl  might  have 
become. 

Mrs.  Cultus  in  turn  also  had  her  own  ideal.  "Those  Grecian 
gods,"  said  she,  "are  so  frightfully  anthro-popo — something, 
I  forget  the  exact  word,  but  it  means  meddlesome  men.  If  I 
had  my  way  we  would  leave  this  place  at  once.  Who  is  Aphro- 
dite, anyhow?  I  thought  Venus  was  the  most  popular  at 
01}Tnpus.  Oh,  dear,  my  Greek  is  awfully  rusty.  I  wish  I  had 
a  copy  of  Took's — ^good  old  Took's  Pantheon  was  full  of  such 
things." 

Now,  unfortunately  for  Mrs.  Cultus,  her  flippant  words 
flew  upwards.  They  were  heard  in  Olympus  by  the  great 
Aphrodite  herself,  ever  one  of  the  most  influential  of  the 
Twelve  Court  Divinities.  Hearing  herself  referred  to  in  this 
trivial  manner  she  determined  to  prove  to  this  modern  woman 
her  potency,  and  that  too  by  hastening  events  before  madame 
and  daughter  could  escape  from  her  realm.  The  campaign 
opened  at  once. 

Aphrodite  whispered  in  Adele's  ear  to  be  sure  to  make  her- 
self attractive  to  Paul,  especially  in  personal  appearance,  for 
he  was  acutely  sensitive  to  certain  impressions  just  at  that 
time. 

Adele's  natural  instincts  would  no  doubt  have  taught  her 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        153 

that  much,  but  as  she  was  under  the  brow  of  Olympus  it  is 
better  to  call  natural  instincts  and  some  other  forces  in  nature 
by  their  proper  names. 

At  any  rate  Adele  was  thus  affected,  using  every  natural 
womanly  effort  to  make  herself  agreeable,  and  Paul  responded 
with  a  keen  sense  of  appreciation.  If  Adele  expressed  a  desire 
to  stroll  on  deck,  Paul  cleared  the  deck  to  give  plenty  of  room ; 
if  she  wished  to  rest  after  a  promenade  he  hurried  to  bring 
two  chairs,  one  in  either  hand ;  if  she  said  the  night  was  dark, 
he  said  "ebony;"  and  if  she  expressed  admiration  for  the 
heavenly  moonlight  he  was  ready  to  agree  they  were  together 
in  a  Paradise. 

Things  would  have  worked  admirably  if  some  of  the  deities 
other  than  Aphrodite  and  some  busybodies  who  hang  around 
Courts  and  courting  in  general  had  not  further  interfered. 
Juno  the  Jealous  and  Diana  the  Golf-player,  both  Roman 
divinities  visiting  Zeus  and  his  consort  Hera,  conceived  the 
idea  that  the  course-links  in  the  game  Adele  and  Paul  were 
playing  were  entirely  too  smooth  for  real  life,  and  it  was 
astonishing  how  many  of  the  lesser  dignitaries  with  their 
relations  came  to  the  same  conclusion.  Complications  at  once 
arose,  since  all  were  in  the  secret. 

Juno  promptly  stirred  up  Boreas,  whose  special  domain  was 
a  little  farther  round  the  coast  in  the  ^gean  Sea,  inciting 
him  to  blow  great  guns  hich  reverberated  from  shore  to  shore 
across  the  billows.  This  in  turn  ruffled  up  Neptune,  and  in 
consequence  there  was  a  tremendous  commotion  in  the  road- 
stead where  the  steamer  lay.  Neptune's  venerable  locks  shone 
like  white-caps  in  all  directions  at  once. 

As  to  Adele,  she  admired  the  sea  in  commotion  and  Paul 
agreed  it  was  "the  most  magnificent  spectacle."  Adele  thought 
she  could  stand  the  movement,  in  fact  did  at  first,  until  the 
united  efforts  of  Boreas  and  Neptune  acting  simultaneously 
produced  a  very  peculiar  motion  of  the  vessel,  and  a  diversity 
of  feelings  so  complicated  within  herself  that  she  naturally 


154        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

took  to  her  state-room  on  short  notice.  Paul  at  once  pro- 
nounced the  weather  '*heastly,"  and  the  previous  magnificence 
took  flight  on  the  wings  of  the  wind. 

Now,  with  all  these  divinities  conspiring  against  her, 
Adele's  resemblance  to  her  mother  was  certainly  brought  into 
prominence  as  never  before,  and  all  the  romance  of  her  nature 
seemed  to  vanish. 

Adele  in  her  state-room :  "It  is  a  physical  impossibility  to 
look  well,  much  less  be  agreeable,  when  things  are  tossing 
about  in  this  frightful  way.  Where's  my  trunk  ?"  and  as  she 
reached  down  to  open  it,  the  trunk  slid  across  the  room.  Alas, 
too  late !    When  she  raised  her  head  a  new  sensation. 

"Oh,  what's  that  ?  Oh,  dear,  what  a  peculiar  pain !  Call 
the  steward,  somebody.     Steward,  steward !" 

Enter  steward.    "Yes,  ma'am." 

"I'm  miserable,  steward." 

"Yes,  ma'am,  take  tea  and  toast  and  a  little  porridge." 

Adele,  sharply :  "Go  for  Miss  Winchester  at  once,  steward. 
Tell  her  I'm— I'm " 

"Yes,  ma'am." 

Enter  Miss  Winchester.  "Awful  sorry  you  feel  so  upset, 
Adele.    What  can  I  do  for  you?" 

"I  never  felt  so  collapsed  in  my  life,"  moaned  the  sufferer. 
"Now,  tell  me,  Frank,  shall  I  really  die  of  this  or  not?  Eeally, 
I  couldn't  stand  a  joke !"  Miss  Winchester  smiled  when  she 
perceived  this  universal  symptom. 

"No  joke  ?  Not  even  an  antique  in  Greece,  good  yet  ?  You 
know  what  Ulysses  said  when  he  passed  this  way :  'You  fear 
you  will,  then  fear  you  won't,  and  don't';  that's  what  he 
thought,  I'm  sure." 

"Frank  Winchester,  you're  positively  heartless !  You  make 
me  feel  like  throwing  both  you  and  Ulysses  through  that  port- 
hole.   Oh,  dear,  dear  !    How  badly  I  do  feel !" 

Miss  Winchester  did  what  she  could  to  quiet  matters.  "No, 
Adele,  you  certainly  won't  die  on  purpose,  not  just  yet." 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST       155 

"Oh,  Frank,  what  an  awful  thing  to  say,  when  you  know 
it's  really  so  critical;"  then  musing  as  if  of  unutterable 
things,  "what  will  Paul  think  of  me  ?" 

Now  Paul,  as  luck  would  have  it,  was  constitutionally  op- 
posed to  seasickness  even  in  the  roughest  weather ;  and  as  for 
Adele  she  had  never  before  been  so  badly  affected.  "Owing 
to  too  much  ^Egyptian  Delighf  and  dates,'*  said  Miss  Win- 
chester, feeling  her  pulse. 

Paul  thought  the  trouble  would  prove  merely  a  trivial 
matter  on  Adele's  part.  If  he  had  suspected  how  miserable 
she  really  felt  he  would  have  acted  differently,  but  being  a 
veritable  tease  at  times,  he  sent  her,  by  Miss  Winchester,  the 
following  verses  from  a  newspaper  clipping  "for  consolation." 

Frank  proceeded  to  console  Adele  by  reading  these  news- 
paper verses : 

I 

"In  the  steamer,  oh,  my  darling! 

When  the  fog  horns  shriek  and  blow, 
And  the  footsteps  of  the  stewards 

Softly  come  and  softly  go ; 
When  the  passengers  are  moaning 

With  a  deep  and  heartfelt  woe. 
Will  you  think  of  me  and  love  me 

As  you  did  a  week  ago  ? 

II 

"In  the  cabin,  oh,  my  darling ! 

Think  not  bitterly  of  me, 
Tho'  I  rushed  away  and  left  you 

In  the  middle  of  our  tea; 
I  was  seized  with  sudden  longing. 

Wished  to  gaze  upon  the  sea, 
It  was  best  to  leave  you  thus,  dear. 

Best  for  3'ou  and  best  for  me." 


156        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"In  the  gloaming,"  said  Frank,  and  finished  with  a  deep 
sigh.  Adele  looked  unutterable  things.  "Best  keep  Paul  out 
of  my  presence — to  send  me  such  stuff,  and  just  now,  too !" 
The  vessel  gave  an  awful  lurch,  and  a  tumbler  broke  in  fall- 
ing. "Oh,  Frank,  I  feel  those  terrible  twists  again !  Is  that 
awful  propeller  still  at  it? — it  feels  just  that  way." 

"It  will  soon  untwist,  dear — don't  mind ;  think  of  the  con- 
solation in  those  lovely  verses." 

"I  shall  never  speak  to  him  again !"  said  Adele — "never !" 

"Oh,  yes,  you  will,  and  before  the  moon  sets."  Miss  Win- 
chester was  thinking  of  other  lovers'  quarrels  in  her  experi- 
ence. 

"Moon !"  exclaimed  Adele.  "If  this  continues  there'll  be  no 
moon  and  I  will  be  a  lunatic.  I  have  a  thunder-gust  head- 
ache." 

Frank  bathed  her  temples  with  cologne. 

"Oh,  how  delicious  that  is!  It's  so  kind  of  you,  Frank. 
The  Doctor  would  say  your  hand  is  sympathetic ;  I  think  it's 
you,  Frank.  How  much  better  I  should  feel  if  this  ship  would 
only  keep  still  one  minute,  just  one  minute,  half  a  minute, 
quarter  of  a " 

"That's  right,  dear,  go  to  sleep,"  and  Miss  Winchester 
kissed  her  on  the  forehead  as  she  slept. 

And  while  she  slept,  one  should  remember  the  season  when 
these  events  occurred — during  the  early  autumn,  the  period 
when  summer  changes  and  a  purer  radiancy  obtains  in  nature. 
The  compensations  of  age  in  the  year  supplied  the  "unthought- 
of  deficiencies  of  an  ardent  past." 

Luna,  the  Italian  goddess,  was  also  visiting  Olympus  at 
this  time.  She  was  behind  a  cloud  during  the  pranks  of 
Boreas  and  Neptune,  but  overheard  the  conversation  between 
Adele  and  Miss  Winchester,  and  her  appeal  to  Adele  that  the 
lovers'  quarrel  should  be  settled  before  she  sank  beneath  the 
horizon  touched  her  pride  as  a  goddess.  Luna  was  generally 
considered  cold  and  purely  philosophic  and  at  times  artistic 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST       157 

in  relation  to  lovers,  but  when  in  her  march  across  the  heavens 
her  pride  and  power  were  touched  or  called  in  question,  she 
could  see  very  clearly  and  influence  coming  events  with  great 
force.  In  fact  all  the  tides  in  mundane  revolutions  were 
affected  by  Luna. 

Being  a  great  personal  friend  of  Aphrodite,  the  two  god- 
desses put  their  heads  together  and  approached  Zeus.  The 
very  sight  of  two  such  exquisitely  beautiful  creatures  of  his 
own  creation,  embodying  both  philosophy  and  love  in  league 
towards  one  accomplishment,  proved  eminently  effective. 
Their  anthropomorphous  paternal  progenitor,  as  usual,  lis- 
tened to  their  request  and  granted  it,  his  reason  for  so  doing 
being  markedly  paternal  in  its  character.  In  order  to  keep 
peace  in  the  family  while  strangers  were  looking  on,  Zeus 
directed  Neptune  to  cease  his  uproarious  behavior,  and  sent 
Zephyr  to  take  the  place  of  Boreas.  Zephyr,  well  known  as 
the  mildest  and  gentlest  of  the  sylvan  deities,  was  only  too 
glad  of  the  opportunity  to  take  his  family  for  an  outing  at  the 
seaside.  He  and  the  little  Zephyrs  played  with  ripples  on  the 
waves  like  children  enjoying  themselves  on  the  beach,  while 
Mrs.  Zephyr  waved  the  tree  branches  to  and  fro  when  fanning 
herself  in  a  hammock  beneath.  Thus,  while  Boreas  scudded 
off  with  the  heavy  clouds  from  above,  the  Zephyr  family 
wafted  in  gentle  and  delicious  breezes  below. 

Luna  looked  down,  smiling  at  intervals  between  clouds,  at 
the  result  of  her  visit  to  Zeus,  and  her  open  countenance, 
often  mistaken  for  that  of  a  man,  assumed  the  likeness  of  a 
cameo  goddess. 

While  this  went  on  Paul,  on  deck,  was  watching  the  heavens 
clearing  after  the  storm,  the  breaking  away  of  the  clouds,  the 
falling  of  the  wind,  the  quieting  of  the  sea.  Through  rifts 
in  the  sombre  sky  he  caught  glimpses  of  a  silvery  glow  in  the 
mysterious  depths,  the  glow  became  a  radiancy,  and  darker 
clouds  hurried  by  in  troops,  their  places  taken  by  delicate 


158        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

draperies,  gauze-like,  upon  which  the  silvery  light  played  in 
form  of  a  halo. 

This  celestial  scenery  riveted  Paul's  attention.  As  the  last 
shadow-cloud  passed  away  the  gauze-like  draperies  also  receded 
from  view,  as  a  veil  withdrawn  from  before  a  beautiful  face. 

Luna  of  Italy — Queen  of  the  Night — shone  forth. 

Paul,  keenly  susceptible  and  appreciative,  became  absorbed 
in  admiration,  but  such  his  mood  at  this  time  that  never  before 
had  he  been  so  affected  by  the  moon's  glory. 

^'Our  harvest  moon  at  home,"  thought  he,  "the  merr3nnaking 
moon  for  lads  and  lassies,  so  they  say.  I  like  it  better  for 
yachting;  no,  I  don't,  either; — the  cozy  twosing  moon  when 
one  feels  like  confiding  after  the  day's  work  is  done.  Yes,  I 
feel  Just  that  way — in  some  one  we  love  best :  Yes,  I  think  so, 
too.  The  moon  which  settles  things  before  the  winter  comes 
on — the  moon — the — confound  it!  that  moon  knows  entirely 
too  much !  let  me  think  for  myself."  He  imagined  he  heard  a 
whisper  putting  his  secret  longings  into  words,  and  telling 
him  he  ought  not  to  live  alone — that  is  to  say,  not  enjoying 
this  moon  alone — no !  And  off  he  started,  as  if  something  very 
urgent  suggested  itself. 

It  was  Aphrodite  who  had  whispered  to  him. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        159 


XXV 

APHRODITE  RISES  FROM  THE  SEA 

IN  the  meantime  the  quieting  of  the  sea  had  produced  a 
most  beneficial  effect  upon  Adele.  Thanks  to  the  kind 
ministrations  of  her  mother  and  Miss  Winchester,  the 
thunder-gust  headache  had  passed  away  as  suddenly  as  it 
came.  The  steward  entered  again  to  open  the  port-holes  in 
her  state-room;  a  delicious  breeze,  soft  and  balmy,  entered, 
most  refreshing. 

"How  quickly  the  storm  has  passed,"  said  Adele  to  her 
mother. 

"Yes,  my  child,  and  you  had  better  leave  this  stuffy  state- 
room as  quickly  as  possible.  I  feel  sure  you  will  recover  as 
soon  as  you  breathe  the  invigorating  air." 

"I  had  a  whiff  just  now." 

"These  coast  storms  are  very  fussy  while  they  last,"  said 
Mamma,  "but  I  suppose  'twill  be  like  all  those  along  the 
Riviera;  we  often  had  superb  nights  following  terrible  gusts. 
You  had  better  get  up,  Adele." 

"Do  you  think  it  safe  to  venture?" 

"Not  the  slightest  risk,  not  the  slightest.  I'll  ask  your 
father  to  have  the  chair  ready ;  you  can  take  his  arm  at  first." 

The  soft,  balmy  air  was  again  wafted  in  through  the  port, 
and  passed  with  healing  touch  over  Adele's  cheek. 

"How  delicious  that  is,"  and  she  repeated  the  line : 

"Soft  as  downy  zephyrs  are." 

Why  Adele  used  the  word  zeph3rrs  instead  of  pillows,  Zeus 
only  knows ; — it  must  have  been  Zeus,  not  Aphrodite,  for  the 


IGO        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

latter  seldom  troubled  herself  about  either  zephyrs  or  gar- 
ments ;  and  yet  the  association  of  ideas  aroused  in  the  mind  of 
her  mother  by  Adele's  talking  about  zephyrs  was  most  potent 
in  results. 

"That  reminds  me,  Adele,  I  have  a  zephyr-shawl  that  is  just 
the  very  thing.    I'll  go  and  get  it/'  and  off  she  hurried. 

In  the  passage  outside  she  met  Paul,  also  in  haste,  and  they 
stumbled  over  one  another. 

"I'm  after  a  shawl  for  Adele ;  she  ought  to  be  on  deck." 

"Ah !  just  what  I  think,"  said  Paul,  enchanted  to  find  mat- 
ters already  so  favorable. 

"Her  father  will  bring  her  up." 

"I  shall  be  delighted ;  let  me." 

"No,  thanks  very  much ;  but,  no,  it's  not  at  all  necessary," 
probably  thinking  of  her  daughter's  appearance.  "But  you 
may  arrange  her  chair  in  some  protected  place." 

"Better  than  ever,"  thought  Paul.  "I'll  find  it ;  a  first-class 
protection,  to  suit  us  all  round." 

When  Mrs.  Cultus  put  the  shawl  around  her  daughter's 
shoulders  and  mentioned  incidentally  that  Paul  was  arrang- 
ing things  for  her  on  deck,  Adele  had  a  violent  revulsion  of 
feeling.  Still  thinking  of  those  trashy  verses  Paul  had  sent 
her,  she  felt  little  disposition  to  meet  him ;  then  noticed  again 
how  stuffy  was  the  air  of  the  state-room;  then  her  mother 
insisted. 

"But  those  verses,  mother !" 

"Never  mind  poetry,"  said  Mrs.  Cultus,  laughing.  "Think 
of  what  you've  done  in  that  line  yourself.  You're  just  like  me. 
I  did  it,"  and  her  mother  shook  all  over  with  amusement. 

'^hat  are  you  laughing  at?" — Adele  serious. 

"Why,  my  dear,  you've  been  singing  verses  about  'doves' 
and  'loves,'  and  'toujours'  and  'amours'  ever  since  you  began 
singing  lessons.  If  I  believed  half  of  what  you've  sung  in 
public,  I  would  not  know  what  to  think.  Never  mind  poetry, 
verses  don't  count.    Now  go  on  deck." 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST        161 

"It  was  half  Frank's  fault,  anyhow,"  miised  Adele,  "to  read 
me  such  stuff  when  I  felt  so  wretched.  Never  mind,  I'll  have 
a  good  crow  to  pick  with  Paul  when  I  get  him  alone." 

Aphrodite  also  laughed — one  of  her  most  bewitching  ripples 
of  laughter — when  she  overheard  Adele's  last  conclusion,  and 
promptly  sent  for  her  accomplished  son,  Eros. 

Eros  was  a  youngster,  at  least  in  appearance,  but  very  pre- 
cocious. Like  his  father,  the  ancient  Hermes  (Mercury),  he 
was  very  quick  in  his  movements,  and  affected  considerable 
style  in  his  undress,  for  a  divinity.  He  even  appeared  wear- 
ing a  collar,  with  the  very  latest  style  of  neck-tie,  a  cordon  of 
blue  ribbon  over  his  shoulder  instead  of  a  belt  around  his 
waist;  which  fact  often  troubled  artists  and  "fotographers" 
when  they  took  his  "picture."  Being  thus  ultra,  he  carried 
at  times  a  torch,  then  again  bow  and  arrows,  in  lieu  of  a  walk- 
ing stick ;  and  sometimes  put  the  name  "Cupid"  on  his  visit- 
ing cards,  because  he  said  it  sounded  "cute."  The  modern 
divinities  elsewhere,  as  well  as  at  Olympus,  were  much  divided 
in  their  opinions  about  this  Eros-Cupid,  "modern-antique." 
Some  said  he  was  a  good  boy;  others,  the  most  mischievous 
little  urchin  that  was  to  be  found  sporting  around  the  Mount 
of  the  Gods;  some  contended  that  the  mischief  he  wrought 
showed  him  to  be  a  charming  little  elf  with  his  mother's  dim- 
ples and  ripples  of  laughter.  Later,  some  foreigners  dubbed 
him  Puck,  but  he  was  never  so  designated  at  Olympus,  never, 
not  even  by  his  mother ;  only  by  those  who  never  ate  apples, 
the  apples  of  discord,  nor  sported  with  him  in  the  Gardens 
of  Hesperides. 

Cupid,  himself,  however,  when  among  the  Romans  gener- 
ally followed  their  example  and  called  her  Venus,  which  he 
never  did  in  Greece.  The  Greeks  would  have  been  shocked; 
they  were  artistic  and  saw  nothing  improper,  even  under  the 
electric  lightning-lights  of  Olympus;  the  Romans  merely 
commonplace,  practical,  useful.  It  was  rumored,  however, 
that  the  pair  of  them,  Aphrodite  and  Eros,  did  work  together. 


162        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

as  Venus  and  Cupid  even  in  Greece,  on  the  sly  as  it  were, 
when  Juno  was  off  with  her  swans,  and  Diana  gone  out  fish- 
ing; beg  pardon,  it  was  hunting  in  those  days,  fishing  came 
in  later. 

On  this  occasion  Bros  appeared  in  due  time,  obedient  to  his 
mother's  call.  But,  marvellous  to  relate,  in  appearance  quite 
different  from  what  Aphrodite  had  expected.  He  became 
visible  in  his  most  ancient  Greek  garb,  his  aspect  the  Beauty 
of  Youth.  He  bore  a  flaming  torch  which  Zeus  had  given  him, 
the  torch  with  which  he  had  been  armed  from  the  beginning 
of  human  experience,  the  torch  which  was  lighted  in  the 
Garden  of  Eden.  The  most  youth-full  as  well  as  ancient  of 
all  the  divinities  approached.  From  remote  ages  he  had  been 
known  to  exist  in  some  form,  not  only  as  an  epiphany  or  an 
apparition  of  youthful  life  and  beauty,  but  more  than  this,  far 
more :  the  personification  of  the  principle  of  union  among  the 
disunited  elements  of  the  world,  drawn  together  by  that  "en- 
thusiastic congeniality  of  spirit"  which  is  the  basis  of  all  true 
love ;  potent  among  human  kind  as  the  power  which  operates 
for  that  sincere  friendship  which  continues  and  develops,  ever 
ascending  through  the  domain  of  mutual  respect  and  regard, 
into  the  glorious  realm  of  devotion,  self-sacrifice.  This,  the 
purity  of  union  among  human  kind,  the  purity  of  marriage, 
the  birth  of  souls,  the  realm  of  Immortal  Youth. 

Such  was  the  unexpected  aspect  of  Eros  when  he  first  ap- 
peared ;  and  such  the  significance  of  his  presence. 

Being  a  divinity,  in  the  old  Greek  sense  of  the  term,  that 
is  to  say,  a  personification  of  the  natural  forces  and  instincts 
and  passions,  he  could  not  appear  reasonably  in  other  garb  or 
aspect  at  this  time,  when  active  in  relation  to  the  afifairs  of 
such  a  one  as  Adele  Cultus,  an  Idyl,  an  ideal  girl. 

Upon  Adele,  in  modern  times,  the  same  forces  of  nature 
were  still  operative  as  they  had  ever  been  since  the  beginning. 
Adele,  too,  possessed  the  divine  spark  or  flame,  within  her,  as 
given  by  her  Creator  Father,  and  she  was  both  lovely  and  lov- 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       163 

able.  Paul  adored  her  for  her  beauty  of  character,  and  her 
youthful  form  as  he  saw  it;  and  her  devotion  to  the  truth  as 
they  both  saw  it;  the  true  union,  earthly,  heavenly,  etrenal. 

Alas,  that  such  a  divinity  or  personification,  this  original, 
ancient  Eros,  should  ever  have  been  dethroned  by  others  less 
spiritual  than  Adele;  dethroned,  aye,  dragged  down  from  the 
lofty  pedestal,  the  rock  of  ages ;  and  his  torch  of  flame  become 
but  an  urn  of  ashes  to  be  scattered  by  every  vagrant  wind ;  he, 
himself,  in  time,  represented  as  a  thoughtless  waward  child, 
often  as  a  wanton  sporting  with  bows  and  arrows  as  if  at  play ; 
and  forcing  himself  where  no  true  affection  exists,  not  even 
regard.  His  unhappy  victims  deluded,  and  wandering  in  a 
region  of  shadows  where  the  light  ever  grows  more  dim ;  alas  ! 
forever  failing  to  enter  the  realm  of  Immortal  Youth,  the 
realm  illumined  by  the  unfailing  radiance  of  true  love. 

Yet  such  are  the  vicissitudes  involving  changes  and  irregu- 
larities in  mortal  experience,  especially  in  connection  with  the 
materialistic  tendencies  of  modern  times,  that  the  original 
aspect  of  Eros  has  suffered,  as  with  many  other  similar  con- 
ceptions. His  aspect  only,  not  the  natural  forces  which  he 
personified ;  hence,  in  relation  to  Adele,  the  truth  in  Eros  re- 
mained untouched,  whereas,  his  interview  with  Aphrodite  in 
this  case  certainly  did  illustrate  the  deterioration  which  had 
overtaken  the  region  of  Olympus  since  so  many  of  the  old 
divinities  have  fallen  from  their  pedestals. 

The  Eros  of  the  ancient  Greeks  could  no  longer  retain  his 
lofty  attitude  and  position  amid  modern  requirements,  and 
his  behavior  in  this  instance  certainly  did  demonstrate  the 
deterioration.  He  became,  in  aspect  only,  by  various  stages, 
the  versatile  modern  imp,  Cupid,  the  Cupid  now  so  often  rep- 
resented as  blindfolded,  or  even  blind;  and  with  or  without 
wings  when  used  for  decorative  purposes.  In  fact,  he  might 
easily  be  mistaken  for  an  all-day-vaudeville  performer,  or  a 
cherub  brought  up  upon  the  latest  cereal,  so  little  is  left  of  the 
original  mythological  divinity. 


164        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

As  before  noted,  Eros  responded  promptly  to  his  mother's 
call,  his  appearance  as  it  had  been  in  the  beginning. 

Aphrodite  was  struck  with  amazement,  it  had  been  so  long 
since  she  had  seen  him  in  that  guise.  It  recalled  to  her  the 
early  Grecian  period,  soon  after  she  herself  had  risen,  born 
by  the  forces  of  nature  from  the  foam  of  the  sea  at  Cyprus ; 
of  the  time  when  Eros  (Amor)  and  the  Graces  were  ever  in 
her  train,  and  she  herself  the  deity  of  reproduction  and  love ; 
of  the  time  when  the  myrtle,  the  rose,  and  the  apple  were  espe- 
cially sacred  to  her,  and  the  dove,  the  swan  and  certain  other 
animals  were  symbolic  of  her  activities.  And  she  looked  upon 
him  with  affection. 

"Eros !  Oh,  Eros !  my  lovely  boy !  son  of  my  youth !"  and 
her  voice  failed.  Overwhelmed  by  surging  memories,  some 
time  elapsed  before  she  could  again  speak. 

"How  long,  Eros!  how  long  since  thou  earnest  to  me  as 
now  ?" 

Eros  knelt  before  her  as  if  to  receive  her  blessing. 

Verily,  no  Phidias,  or  Praxiteles,  among  the  ancients,  could 
have  worshiped  by  means  of  the  sacred  art  of  their  day,  and 
foimd  a  better  subject  to  crj'stallize  in  form  for  the  good  of 
future  generations,  than  this,  an  Olympian  Madonna,  a  son  at 
his  mother's  knee.  Maternal  love  and  the  responsive  trust 
and  veneration  of  Youth. 

The  nearer  approach  of  Eros  naturally  brought  his  torch 
in  closer  proximity.  Its  brilliancy  became  dazzling,  in  fact 
blinding  to  eyes  long  since  unused  to  its  power. 

Aphrodite,  conscious  only  of  the  physical  inconvenience, 
placed  her  hand  before  her  face  as  if  to  shade  the  eyes.  This 
was  enough  for  Eros,  he  placed  his  torch  upon  a  tripod  at 
greater  distance,  where  it  remained,  so  near  and  yet  so  far; 
so  sulitle  are  the  adverse  influences  when  the  physical  becomes 
dominant  over  the  spiritual. 

And  instantly  the  natural  consequence : 

Eros  separated  from  his  torch  was  no  longer  the  same.    He 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        165 

had  entered  the  shadows;  his  aspect  at  once  changed.  His 
form,  still  exquisite  to  behold,  was  like  sculptured  marble, 
faultless  in  outline,  yet  without  the  flesh  tint,  the  warmth  of 
color ;  complete  except  the  illuminating  flame  which  Zeus  had 
given  him. 

Aphrodite  still  gazed  with  admiration,  but,  alas !  strange  to 
say,  his  aspect  having  become  more  familiar  to  present  condi- 
tions and  himself  speechless,  she  also  said  nothing;  and  Eros 
continued  to  manifest  the  beauty  of  form  alone. 

And  again  the  natural  consequence : 

Aphrodite  had  called  him  for  a  purpose,  and  must  talk  with 
him;  must  cause  the  exquisite  form  to  manifest  life,  the 
statue  must  respond.    And  she  called  him  anew : 

"Eros !  Oh,  Eros !  why  not  speak  ?  Come  to  me  from  amid 
those  shadows !    Eros !  answer !" 

Alas,  no  response. 

And  again  she  called  him. 

He  was  but  a  stone. 

And  again,  for  the  third  time. 

No  response  possible. 

Yet  while  she  waited,  a  profound  and  thrilling  change  did 
take  place,  both  in  form  and  expression.  Not  that  Eros 
spake,  but  his  form  manifested  a  movement  or  evolution  to- 
wards another  phase  of  his  nature.  So  impressive  had  he  been 
as  a  statue  of  divine  suggestion,  that  many  a  Greek  would  have 
placed  him  within  the  precincts  of  a  sacred  temple  as  most 
appropriate  locality  for  his  abode.  Once  there,  his  heavenly 
youth  would  serve  to  uplift  the  hearts  of  all  who  beheld  him. 
Once  so  conceived,  any  religion  might  have  felt  enriched  from 
an  artistic  point  of  view,  to  possess  him  among  the  treasures 
of  the  sacred  enclosure,  as  a  symbol  of  the  countless  babes 
within  the  heavenly  realm;  for  "of  such  is  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven." 

And  so  Eros  now  appeared,  as  a  mediaeval  cherub,  a  con- 


166        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

comitant  to  a  sacred  picture.  His  religious  aspect  still  appar- 
ent, but  now  as  accessory ;  and  often  represented  only  as  "head 
and  wings/'  gazing  upwards. 

And  still  he  was  silent;  signijBcant,  but  silent. 

To  Aphrodite  he  seemed  as  one  fading  away  from  her  for- 
ever, to  be  lost  amid  enveloping  clouds;  possibly  to  be  ap- 
propriated by  other  worshipers  than  those  who  frequented 
Olympus.  And  such  would  have  been  the  case  if  the  torch  of 
Zeus,  ever  radiant,  so  near  and  yet  so  far,  had  not  still  cast 
some  light  upon  the  scene.  To  Aphrodite,  Eros  was  still  hers, 
of  her,  and  from  her,  by  whatever  name  he  might  be  ad- 
dressed; and  who  more  potent  than  she  to  call  him  by  any 
name  she  chose,  any  endearing  term  that  sprang  from  her 
heart? 

"Eros,  my  own !  Eros,  my  darling !  My  cherub !  surely 
you  wish  not  to  offend  me,  and  rest  gazing  at  others.  Cupid ! 
speak !" 

She  had  called  him  by  his  later  and  modern  name;  and 
again  the  natural  consequence,  the  final  change.  Of  course  he 
spoke.  Being  what  he  was  as  Cupid  in  modern  conception, 
he  could  not  do  otherwise,  he  could  not  avoid  conversation. 
Also,  his  youthful  wings  commenced  to  flutter ;  and  his  beauty, 
never  lost  since  the  beginning,  made  him,  from  the  worldly 
point  of  view,  adorable. 

But,  alas !  not  as  Eros,  simply  the  modern  fascinating 
Cupid.  Sad,  also!  no  longer  the  Aphrodite  of  early  times, 
but  the  Roman  Venus  still  in  vogue;  Venus  who  at  once  as- 
serted herself  by  giving  orders  to  her  attendant  Cherub.  The 
Cherub  carried  his  bow  and  arrows,  and  the  torch  of  Zeus 
grew  very  dim  as  Venus  spake: 

"Cupid !  you  certainly  are  clever !  but  you  gave  me  such  a 
shock !  I  thought  you  never  would  wake  up,  or  speak  to  me 
again !" 

The  Cherub  fluttered  about  her  person  not  unlike  a  butter- 
fly to  fascinate  by  graceful  movement;  the  poetry  of  motion. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       167 

an  admirable  motif  for  decoration;  activity,  new  sensations; 
no  more,  no  less. 

"Cupid !  if  ever  that  occurs  again,  you  will  be  caught  and 
imprisoned,  imprisoned  within  a  picture  gallery,  and  there 
you  will  remain.    Zeus  help  you !    Naughty  boy !" 

The  beautiful  winged  youth,  the  spritely  Cupid,  at  once 
answered : 

"I'll  girdle  the  earth  in  forty  minutes.  Catch  me,  who 
catch  can." 

Venus  smiled.  Some  would  have  thought  this  smile  "be- 
witching," others  could  have  called  her  expression  "a  cynical 
smile."  But  it  soon  faded  away,  and  in  no  degree  prevented 
her  proceeding  at  once  to  the  object  of  their  interview. 

"Cupid !  there  is  going  to  be  an  engagement." 

"Ah !  then  the  fight  comes  later  on,"  remarked  the  preco- 
cious Sprite. 

"Are  you  ready  ?" 

"Always  ready,"  and  as  if  to  suit  the  action  to  the  word, 
he  fluttered  in  graceful  curves,  and  finally,  en  passant,  kissed 
her  upon  the  cheek. 

"Good.  I  see  you  are !  You  may  amuse  yourself  with  bow 
and  arrows  when  the  time  comes." 

"May  I  respectfully  inquire  when  this  momentous  engage- 
ment is  to  transpire  ?" 

*^When  you  see  me " 

"Do  what,  my  Lady  Venus  ?" 

^ise  from  the  sea,  and  give  the  usual  signal." 

The  confab  ended  for  the  present.  Lady  Venus  and  Cupid 
understood  each  other  perfectly. 

A  moonlit  night  and  zephyrs  wafted  in ;  an  easy  chair,  and 
no  one  looking  on.  Two  in  shadow,  gazing  upon  legendary 
Greece;  talking  mythology  such  as  they  alone  could  under- 
stand ;  feeling  fluctuations  of  quite  another  kind. 

A  convalescent  lassie,  and  a  sympathizing  lad,  old  friends 


168        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

for  at  least  a  year,  it  seemed  as  if  from  childhood.  A  timely 
aid,  and  a  grateful  maid ;  compliments  in  words,  and  nature's 
complementary.  A  man's  stout  heart,  and  a  woman's  tender 
sympathy,  sincerity  and  truth. 

The  conditions  were  favorable. 

What  else? 

A  secret,  a  secret  to  all  but  Cupid  who  stood  behind  a 
celestial-rose  bush  on  the  heights  nearby,  his  bow  and  arrows 
ready.  An  event  not  to  be  seen  by  the  binoculars  of  newsy 
gossips,  nor  even  perceived  by  the  mental  eyes  of  inquisitives. 
All  is  left  to  the  spiritual  discernment  of  those  who  have  loved. 

What  actually  occurred  during  that  heavenly  evening  when 
they  drifted  upon  the  bosom  of  the  Adriatic,  when  the  stars 
shone  brightly  or  when  cloud-draperies  hid  some  endearing 
charm,  can  only  fully  be  known  to  two  (and  the  divinities), 
these  two  nature's  lovely,  lovable  and  loved.  But  sure  it  is, 
before  the  evening  closed.  Aphrodite  again  arose  from  the 
sea,  a  Vision  of  Loveliness.  Gliding  by  in  her  graceful  shell, 
floating  amid  foam  on  the  crest  of  a  wave,  illumined  by  a 
divine  radiance,  she  threw  a  kiss  of  affection,  the  signal.  And 
from  behind  the  celestial-rose  bush  sped  Love's  Arrow,  borne 
upon  the  wings  of  the  unseen.  As  this  sweet  messenger  enters 
the  hearts  of  those  ready  to  respond,  so  it  was  welcomed  by 
Adele  and  Paul,  reclining  beneath  the  brow  of  Olympus. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        169 


XXVI 


INTERMEZZO — ALLEGRO 


OH,  that  voyage !  From  the  brow  of  Olympus,  across  the 
Mediterranean,  down  the  Roseate  Sea,  the  two  lovers 
journeyed.  As  they  skirted  the  shore,  never  did 
delicate  tints  upon  a  sapphire  surface  give  back  more  heavenly 
reflections !  Those  sunny  days,  under  double  awnings,  when 
none  dared  look  at  a  thermometer  lest  he  himself  should  melt 
away.  Those  first-magnitude  starlit  nights  when  sleeping  on 
deck,  with  glimpses  of  others  passing  like  spooks  in  the  dark ; 
and  in  the  distance,  on  "P.  and  0."  boats,  the  invisible  friends 
known  to  be  there. 

The  last  glimpse  of  Boreas  was  in  a  storm  brewing  off  in 
the  direction  of  the  ^gean  Sea.  Some  thought  they  saw  him 
in  propria-persona,  gesticulating  upon  the  high  cliffs  of  Can- 
dia  as  the  vessel  sailed  by  in  the  teeth  of  the  wind,  but  this 
individual  proved  to  be  merely  a  Turkish  brigand,  one  of  the 
gang  which  infested  that  region. 

But  are  not  all  such  minor  incidents  already  recorded  in 
the  chronicles  of  the  Cultus  family  for  publication  in  future 
genealogical  records?  How  at  Alexandria  the  Doctor  took 
little  interest  in  the  modern  city  upon  the  island  of  Pharos, 
but  much  interest  in  the  Ancient  Library  with  no  books  left ! 
How,  since  said  Library  was  destroyed  some  time  ago,  Paul 
and  Adele  managed  to  reconstruct  a  brand  new  temple  with 
lamps,  incense,  and  priests — all  complete,  to  say  nothing  of 
singing  birds,  and  vestal  virgins  each  carrying  a  sieve  instead 
of  a  lamp !     How  Miss  Winchester  met  the  Four  Hundred 


170        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

elite  of  Alexandria  at  the  base  of  Pompey's  Pillar,  and  was 
kodaked  by  Paul  with  the  four  hundred  gamins  at  her  feet, 
asking  for  backsheesh ;  this  historic  picture  labeled,  "Hypatia 
Addressing  the  Multitude.  A.  D.  MDCCCLXXXXIX." 
How  Mrs.  Cultus  took  in  the  situation  from  a  barouche,  posi- 
tively refusing  to  set  foot  on  the  sward  of  a  country  famous 
for  asps  and  beetles;  and  also  how  Mrs.  Cultus  announced 
that  Cleopatra's  relish  for  pearls  was  in  good  taste,  only  it 
carried  her  too  far.  How  the  unfortunate  noseless  Sphynx 
turned  up  her  nose,  as  usual,  at  all  innocents  abroad ;  and  how 
Mrs.  Cultus,  when  entering  the  memorial  bridal  chamber  of 
Cheops,  slipped  upon  the  inclined  staircase  which  leads  there- 
to, and  fell  into  the  arms  of  a  modern  bridegroom — a  young 
sheik.  How  the  Professor  stood  upon  the  apex  of  Cheops  and 
took  notes,  alternate  notes  upon  lichens  which  grew  there,  and 
upon  Memphis  where  it  once  was.  Is  it  not  also  recorded 
among  the  archives  of  modern  Egypt  how,  during  the  period 
of  occupation  of  Shepherd's,  cards  were  left  in  due  form  upon 
Pharaoh's  mummy  in  the  Boulak  Museum;  and  how 
Mrs.  Cultus  received  in  turn  a  scarab,  and  some  little  scarabei, 
of  Manchester  manufacture,  taken  from  the  left  pocket  of 
Pharaoh's  forty-second  cousin,  after  reposing  there  since  A.  D. 
1492  (some  said  from  4000  B.  C.) — a  slight  token  of  regard 
from  the  Pharonic  dynasty  to  the  latest  Republic  on  earth? 
Was  it  not  recorded  also  at  the  time,  in  the  society  column  of 
the  "Pyramid  Times,"  that  "Miss  Pearline  Cultus  and  Mr. 
Adolph  Warder  were  last  seen  behind  an  umbrella  on  the  top 
of  the  Pyramid  with  their  feet  hanging  over  the  top  step?" 
probably  the  most  conspicuous  perch  on  the  globe  for  two 
lovers. 

And  above  all,  was  it  not  also  jotted  down  in  the  private 
memoranda  of  both  Paul  and  Adele,  when  passing  Mocha  and 
Perim  and  Aden,  in  and  out  of  the  gloaming,  that  the  voyage 
was  perfect  bliss,  the  coffee — nectar  fit  for  the  gods,  and  the 
coals  of  Perim — black  diamonds?     As  to  Aden,  the  much- 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST        171 

abused  Aden,  said  to  be  separated  only  by  a  thin  sheet  of 
Manila  paper  from  the  infernal-region-frying-pan — such  as- 
sertions proved  absolutely  false.  Aden  was  a  Paradise  of 
fruit  and  flowers,  its  reservoir  like  Lake  Tahoe,  and  its  in- 
habitants— white-robed  angels  with  Chinese  features,  flying 
hither  and  thither  in  phantom  jinrikishas.  Was  it  not  here 
at  Aden  that  Paul  had  the  innocent  audacity  to  open  that 
delicious  but  appalling  fruit,  the  dorian,  chopping  it  with  a 
hatchet  under  their  very  noses,  only  to  hurl  both  dorian  and 
hatchet  into  the  sea  for  the  delectation  of  fishes  whose  noses 
were  equal  to  the  occasion?  And  finally,  did  not  the  whole 
party,  except  Mrs.  Cultus,  visit  Mother  Eve  at  Djeddah,  and 
find  her  the  most  atteniiated  specimen  of  humanity,  both 
physically  and  historically,  that  anyone  could  imagine,  at 
least  forty  feet  long,  aged  six  millenniums  (some  say  eight  or 
nine;  possibly  seven  times  seven,  or  thereabouts),  with  her  toes 
turned  up  about  two  feet  ?  And  did  they  not  make  the  aston- 
ishing discovery  which  Mrs.  Cultus  at  once  reported  to  the 
Politely  Civil  Archaeological  Society,  that  our  own  Mother  Eve 
was  really  very  dark  in  complexion ;  in  fact,  quite  a  fast  black 
(since  local  tradition  said  so,  and  tradition  was  invariably 
exact,  if  not  too  exact)  ? — a  case  of  proving  too  much ;  which 
wonderful  discovery  made  them  all  wonder  and  debate  if  they 
themselves,  being  white  at  present,  might  not  possibly  be 
changed  backwards,  and  revert  to  original  color  and  type  be- 
fore entering  Mahomet's  Paradise. 

Youth !  Oh,  Youth !  how  many  are  thy  pleasures  and  priv- 
ileges, and  thou  dost  not  realize  it.  Thine  the  period  when  all 
things  are  interesting,  new  sensations  at  every  turn,  and  little 
responsibility  to  interfere  with  whims.  Go  to  the  circus,  go 
globe-trotting  in  an  automobile,  and  take  part  in  the  show. 
Oh,  Youth!  thine  is  the  blessed  time  of  freedom,  although 
thou  mayst  not  think  so.  Thou  wilt,  no  doubt,  hear  much 
good  advice,  but  follow  thine  own  inclinations,  and  enjoy  the 


172        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

happy  privilege  of  changing  thy  mind  on  short  notice.  Mrs. 
Cultus  was  no  longer  youthful,  but  she  held  on  to  the  privi- 
leges just  the  same. 

"I  always  change  my  mind,  Frank,  when  it  suits  me.  I 
fully  intended  to  call  upon  Eva  at  Djeddah,  certainly  the  first 
lady  in  the  land,  even  if  she  were  only  Mahomet's  wife,  and 
not  our  mutual  ancestress;  but,  Frank,  when  it  turned  out 
so  midsummer  hot,  with  such  a  brazen  sky,  I  gave  it  up.  Why, 
Frank  Winchester,  I  wouldn't  appear  in  the  condition  you 
were,  in  that  bedraggled  gown  and  hat  and  felt  slippers — ^no ! 
not  if  I  really  wished  to  call.  That's  wisdom,  my  dear; 
take  an  elder's  advice.  Never  hesitate  to  change  your  mind, 
especially  when  it  suits  you." 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        173 


XXVII 

INTERMEZZO ANDANTE 

The  Royal  Route. 

O  SCIENCE!  How  true  thou  art!  How  true  thou 
strivest  to  be !  Yet,  what  is  not  claimed  in  thy  name, 
when  few  are  the  golden  gems  picked  up  upon  the 
limited  shore  of  this  single  world!  We  learn  of  thee,  0 
Science !  through  thee !  by  thee !  but  ever  when  we  ask  of  thee 
the  Bread  of  Life,  thou  givest  us  a  stone ;  and  when  we  ask 
for  a  fish,  thou  givest  us  a  serpent.  From  the  beginning  it 
has  been  so.  Know  thyself,  0  Science !  thy  finite  place.  Learn 
even  as  a  little  child  sitting  at  the  feet  of  Infinite  Knowledge. 
0  Philosophy!  How  noble  thou  art,  to  seek  the  truth  in 
all  things  as  they  are;  ignoring  nothing  in  nature,  in  any 
province  of  thought,  word  or  deed — in  Science  or  Eeligion. 
But  thou  revealest  nothing.  Thy  intellect  is  finite — not  infi- 
nite; thy  standpoint  mortal — not  immortal.  Thou  art  god- 
like— but  not  God. 

O  Religion !  Thou  Voice  of  the  Mind  of  Nature !  of  Our 
Almighty- Father,  Creator ;  accepting  all  of  Truth  in  Science 
and  Philosophy;  yet,  ever  speaking  of  a  higher  and  better 
life,  here  and  hereafter.  How  many  untruths  have  been 
spoken  in  Thy  name,  even  spoken  as  ex  cathedra,  taking  Thy 
name  in  vain ;  yet,  verily  none  can  escape  Thee,  Thyself,  0 
Thou  Holy  Spirit  of  Truth  in  Love,  in  the  heart  of  Human- 
ity— Immanuel,  God  with  us! 


ITi        A  TWENTIETH  CENTUllY  IDEALIST 


XXVIII 


THE   AFTERGLOW 


AGAIN  the  shores  had  vanished,  this  time  Europe  left 
behind,  and  the  Orient  lifting  before  them.  It  was 
after  the  sun  had  plunged  beneath  the  waves,  and 
the  distance  was  illumined  with  the  afterglow;  when  the 
Parsee  matrons  had  retired  to  rest,  publicly,  upon  the  saloon 
floors,  and  some  mysterious  figures  re-entered  to  recline  on 
deck  in  awkward  pose,  with  crooked  necks  against  chairs  and 
skylights,  that  Paul  and  Adele  also  glided  forward,  past  cap- 
tain and  capstan,  to  their  favorite  spot.  Only  the  prow  of  the 
vessel  when  it  mounted  the  billows,  and  a  spooky  lanthorn 
aloft,  hung  in  space  between  them  and  the  constellations.  To- 
gether they  gazed  forwards  and  upwards,  listening  to  the 
thoughts  of  the  stilly  night. 

"Fond  memories  for  other  days,"  remarked  Adele. 

Paul  looked  round  to  discover  the  object  supposed  to  sug- 
gest memories,  and  then  concluded  his  chair  was  not  quite 
close  enough  to  hers. 

"There  it  is,"  said  she,  looking  toward  the  constellation 
of  the  Southern  Cross,  resplendent  in  the  heavens.  "I  never 
shall  forget  it." 

"Beautiful,  each  star  a  gem,  all  gems ;  but " 

"I  cannot  conceive  anything  more  suggestive  or  more  ap- 
propriate in  the  heavens  than  that  cross,"  said  Adele. 

"I  am  yet  inclined  to  think  that  perhaps  Orion  is  still 
more  magnificent." 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST        175 

"Don't  let's  make  comparisons,  Paul.  I  don't  feel  in  the 
mood  just  now ;  that  only  spoils  our  present  enjoyment." 

"All  right;  take  things  as  they  are,"  and  Paul  looked 
again  at  the  constellation. 

"See  those  four  stars,  Adele;  they  would  make  an  ex- 
quisite pin.    Would  you  like  one  in  that  form  ?" 

"Pin !  Please  don't  think  I  care  only  for  trinkets,  and  at 
such  a  time  as  this!  Please  don't,  it  only  belittles  every- 
thing ;"  her  voice  betraying  a  slight  trace  of  emotion. 

Paul  vowed  inwardly  that  he  would  acquiesce  in  everything 
she  said,  so  in  duty  bound  endeavored  to  be  philosophic  him- 
self. 

"There's  nothing  like  being  natural,  even  when  it  feels  un- 
natural." 

Adele  laughed  outright. 

"My  dear  Paul,  philosophy  never  did  sit  well  on  you ;  please 
don't."  Paul  felt  somewhat  subdued,  and  immediately 
changed  the  subject. 

"What  was  it  you  said  you  wished  to  ask  me  ?" 

"Oh,  yes,  about  being  inquisitive.  We're  all  getting  so  hor- 
ribly inquisitive  that  I've  had  a  curious  experience.  I  really 
don't  know  what  I  think." 

It  was  Paul's  turn  to  laugh.  "Oh,  that  comes  from  think- 
ing too  much.  Give  it  up ;  we've  got  something  else  on  hand 
just  now ;  don't  let's  think." 

This  idea  seemed  to  impress  Adele  rather  favorably  in  her 
present  mood,  but  she  could  not  resist  the  temptation  to  con- 
tinue. 

"Paul,  I  really  feel  that  I  must  exert  my  will — yes,  I  must 
will  that  I  won't — no !  I  mustn't  won't  anything,  that  is  not 
what  I  mean.  I  can't  untangle  my  thoughts  while  talking. 
Paul,  try  to  help  me ;  you  do  the  talking." 

"I  know  exactly  what's  the  matter  with  you,  Adele;  what 
Frank  Winchester  would  call  your  ^thinking  apparatus'  is  a 
little  weary,  and  I  have  a  sure  cure — put  it  here ;"  his  shoul- 


176        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

der  being  very  convenient.  "Now  we  can  talk  without  think- 
ing or  think  without  talking;  just  as  you  please." 

Adele  felt  safer,  and  her  mind  much  less  disturbed. 

"I'm  so  very  inquisitive,"  said  she. 

"That's  perfectly  natural,"  acquiesced  Paul,  who  was  him- 
self feeling  quite  comfortable;  "most  women,  I  mean  most 
people,  are." 

"Doctor  Wise  is,"  said  Adele.    "I  like  to  hear  him  talk." 

"Oh,  that's  the  way  the  wind  blows,  is  it  ?"  exclaimed  Paul. 
"I  knew  you  would  tell  me  sooner  or  later.  I  know  the  Doctor 
like  a  book.  He's  the  best  friend  I  have  in  the  world ;  but  I'll 
tell  you  something  about  him." 

"I  don't  wish  to  know  unless  it's  good,"  said  Adele,  then 
paused  an  instant ;  *1but  I  think  he  can  trust  both  of  us." 

"Oh,  yes,  but  the  Doctor's  this  way ;  now  I  tell  you  this  in 
confidence.  He  often  forgets  how  old  he  is,  and  thinks  we 
are  about  the  same  age," 

"I  don't  see  anything  very  confidential  in  that;  besides,  I 
rather  like  these  middle-aged  old  fellows  who  must  wear 
glasses  and  won't  wear  'specs ;'  they  keep  their  youth." 

"You  surely  don't  like  frisky  old  boys  ?"  laughed  Paul. 

"Nonsense !  People  may  live  many  years  and  yet  not  be 
aged.    The  Doctor's  not  frisky," 

"Nor  very  slow,  either,"  laughed  Paul,  "Only  he  will  per- 
sist in  looking  backward,  and  above  one's  head,  and  some- 
times inside  of  one,  while  you  and  I  always  look  forward; 
don't  we,  Adele?" 

'^hy,  of  course," 

"Well,  then,  when  we  reach  his  age,  we  may  find  some  satis- 
faction in  the  other  thing,  but  just  at  present  I  don't  feel  like 
it.  The  Doctor  mixes  me  up,  too,  sometimes;  even  when  I 
understand  his  words  perfectly.    It's  the  after-effects," 

"  'After-effects'  is  good,"  said  Adele.  "I've  felt  'em  my- 
self, lately — in  my  state-room ;  but  even  before  that,  when 
they  talked  in  the  Sunday-school  about  Jebusites  and  Peri- 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST        177 

zites,  the  most  mixed-up  crowd  I  ever  met ;  almost  as  bad  as 
those  so-called  scientists  we  met  on  the  Atlantic.  Now,  I 
really  care  more  about  Porto  Eico  and  the  Philippine  Island- 
ers than  any  of  those  ancient  or  modern  mixtures ;  and  to  re- 
turn to  what  I  started  with,  don't  you  think  the  Doctor  at- 
tempts to  explain  too  much  ?" 

"Well,  yes — and  no.  Of  course  there  are  some  things  no 
fellow  can  find  out,  but  the  Doctor  is  not  really  trying  to 
discover;  he  merely  tries  to  arrange  after  his  own  fashion 
what  he  already  has  read  and  experienced.  He  really  sees 
much  more  than  most  of  us,  and  he  told  me  he  had  discovered 
that  fact  written  in  the  palm  of  his  own  hand." 

"I  see  he  has  you  well  in  hand,"  said  Adele,  thoughtlessly. 

Paul  winced. 

Adele  felt  a  slight  shiver,  and  was  sorry  she  had  so  spoken. 

"He  has  helped  me  greatly,"  said  Paul,  reminiscent  of  the 
Doctor's  friendship.  "I  never  met  a  man  who  tried  more  to 
give  his  friends  something  worth  thinking  and  talking  about 
instead  of  twaddle  and  bosh." 

"And  that's  just  where  my  trouble  comes  in,"  said  Adele. 
"I  don't  care  for  twaddle  and  bosh,  but  isn't  there  such  a 
thing  as  too  much  thinking ;  I  mean  too  much  thinking  about 
too  many  things  ?  I've  a  great  notion  to  do .  something  rad- 
ical." 

"Gracious !    You  a  Eadical  ?    What  do  you  propose  to  do  ?" 

"Change  my  mind." 

"Don't  do  that;  it's  too  radical!  Change  your  method,  or 
your  climate;  but  for  heaven's  sake  leave  your  mind  alone." 
And  Paul's  sudden  outburst  of  laughter  attracted  attention 
from  the  night  watchman,  who  came  forward  to  see  if  any- 
thing was  wanted. 

"Nothing.    Thanks !"  answered  Paul. 

"Oh,  yes,  there  is,"  continued  Adele ;  "something  must  be 
done.  I  cannot  undertake  to  keep  up  with  all  that's  going  on 
above,  below,  outside,  inside  and  underneath.    I  used  to  think 


178        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

so  at  college,  but  now  it's  fatiguing.  It's  not  safe  to  live  with 
all  creation  coming  down  on  you  at  every  turn." 

"I  never  thought  Atlas  a  happy  man,"  interjected  Paul. 

"He  gives  me  the  backache  to  look  at  him,"  said  Adele; 
"and  I've  a  notion  not  even  to  listen  to  philosophers  or,  in 
fact,  any  talk  that  involves  so  many  ifs  and  buts  in  one's  own 
mind.  Others  may  enjoy  that  game ;  I  don't.  I  told  Father 
I  detested  'exceptions'  to  rules  when  at  school,  and  now  it's 
worse.  I'm  getting  to  think  that  most  people  had  best  leave 
such  things  alone  in  real  life.    What  do  you  think  about  it  ?" 

Paul  felt  a  thrill  of  satisfaction  run  through  him  as  Adele 
allowed  herself  to  run  on,  giving  vent  to  her  feelings;  and 
she  also  felt  a  pressure  of  endearment  which  thrilled  also. 

"My  dearest,"  said  he,  "that's  the  wisest  thing  you  ever 
thought  out  in  your  life.  You're  the  most  level-headed  girl 
I  ever  met  in  all  my  days."  He  spoke  as  if  both  he  and  she 
were  quite  as  old  as  the  Doctor.  Then,  wishing  to  be  very 
profound,  Paul  tried  to  be  eloquent. 

"Adele !  do  you  know  what  you  have  done  ? — the  most — 
h'm ! — the  most  satisfactory  thing  I  could  have  wished  for 
in  life." 

"Nothing  radical,  I  trust,  or  I  probably  shall  regret  it;" 
her  voice  fading  away  towards  the  last  in  secret  amusement. 

"God  knows !  The  Lord  only  knows  how  much  trouble  it 
will  save  us — after  we're  settled." 

"Don't  swear,  my  dear,  don't  swear!  I've  been  thinking 
about  it  for  some  time.  It's  the  kind  of  philosophy  I  really 
believe  in." 

"So  do  I,"  said  Paul,  his  voice  betraying  strong  feeling. 

"Not  to  bother  with  'osophies  or  sophistries,  anthropologies 
or  any  other  apologies,"  said  Adele.  "I  want  to  live  a  free, 
open  life — a  life  in  the  open." 

"Take  things  as  they  are." 

"Yes,  and  people  as  we  find  them — ^try  to  do  them  good." 

A  pause  followed. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        179 

Paul  was  striving  to  grasp  within  his  own  consciousness 
what  an  admirable  girl  Adele  was,  and  how  happy  he  ought  to 
be  with  such  a  true  woman  for  his  wife ;  but  such  thoughts  only 
confused  him.  All  he  could  do  was  to  whisper,  more  to  him- 
self than  to  her,  the  old,  old  words,  "How  I  do  love  you,  love 
you  with  all  my  heart !" 

She  heard  him,  and  her  heart  responded. 

"Do  you  know  what  you  have  done?"  asked  Adele  softly, 
intertwining  her  fingers  in  his.  The  sympathetic  touch,  the 
currents  of  emotion,  vitality  and  supreme  strength  entered  his 
very  soul. 

"Given  me,"  said  she,  "for  my  very  own  that  which  I  most 
crave." 

He  bowed  his  head  in  reverence,  and  could  not  lift  so  much 
as  his  eyes  towards  heaven. 

"Oh,  Paul,  do  you  know  what  that  means?  Faith  in  one 
to  love  and  trust." 

He  made  a  movement  as  if  trying  to  speak,  but  she  grasped 
his  hand  anew,  and  pressed  it. 

They  did  not  speak,  only  thought,  and  loved  each  other. 

The  Southern  Cross  shone  resplendent  in  the  heavens 
above. 


"  Let  Nature  be  your  teacher; 

Sweet  is  the  love  which  Nature  brings; 
Our  meddling  intellect 

Misshapes  the  beauteous  form  of  things. 
We  murder  to  dissect — 

Enough  of  Science  and  of  Art; 
Close  up  those  barren  leaves; 

Come  forth  and  bring  with  you  a  heart 
That  watches  and  receives." 

— Wordsworth. 


180        A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDExVLIST 


XXIX 

ILLNESS  AND  HALLUCINATION 

AT  last  they  had  reached  the  Far  East — a  new  world 
densely  populated  with  darker  races,  dark  forms 
clothed  in  white  or  multi-colored  garments;  many 
with  little  clothing  at  all.  The  faces  intelligent,  the  profiles 
often  more  clear-cut  and  refined  than  their  own.  People  who 
told  them  frankly  that  their  physiognomy  showed  "pink  faces 
with  green  eyes" — quite  a  revelation,  since  they  had  never 
before  seen  themselves  as  other  see  them,  from  that  point  of 
view. 

It  was  at  Bombay  Mrs,  Cultus  first  encountered  the  prolific 
assortment  of  "boys,"  Khidmatgars  and  Jadoo  Wallahs,  punka 
boys,  and  boys  from  Goa.  It  did  not  take  her  long  to  grasp 
the  situation,  simply  because  she  purposely  kept  her  own  per- 
sonal assortment  constantly  on  "the  grand  jump."  "I  must 
find  out  what  each  fellow  can  do,  but  won't;  and  what  he  can't 
do,  but  will.  As  Paul  would  say,  'This  caste-business  and 
somebody  else's  business  is  most  distracting.'  " 

As  to  the  Jadoo  Wallahs  and  their  famous  tricks,  Mrs. 
Cultus  had  set  her  heart  upon  detecting  the  manner  of  growth 
of  that  celebrated  mango-tree,  and  in  consequence  had  an  ex- 
perience. 

The  magician  went  through  his  whole  performance  as  it  is 
usually  given,  and  was  about  to  take  up  his  bush  and  walk, 
when  Mrs.  Cultus  at  once  exclaimed  :  "Not  so  quick,  please ! 
You  say  it  grew  in  ten  minutes;  that  mango  bush?" 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        181 

"You  saw  it,  Mem  Sahib,"  said  the  magician  respectfully. 

"Then  there's  a  humbug  in  that  tree/'  remarked  Mrs. 
Cultus  blandly. 

The  Wallah  seemed  a  little  thrown  off  his  guard. 

"Show  us  the  roots !  the  roots !"  demanded  Mrs.  Cultus,  as 
if  giving  orders. 

"Pardon,  pardon,  Mem  Sahib !  I  thought  you  said  a  bug 
was  in  the  tree ;"  and  instantly  the  magician's  acting  became 
superb ;  his  whole  attitude  changed.  One  might  have  supposed 
he  considered  it  most  unreasonable  to  ask  to  see  the  roots  of  a 
tree.  Possibly,  this  one  had  roots,  but  then  they  might  be  so 
small  you  could  not  see  them.  Who  loiows  what  really  was 
there  under  ground?  He  didn't;  but  he  could  take  the  risk 
of  digging  to  discover. 

Considering  the  little  pile  of  earth  was  only  six  inches  high 
and  stood  upon  a  cemented  pavement,  Mrs.  Cultus  told  him  to 
"go  to  work  and  dig  them  up."  And  then  came  the  surprise 
for  her ;  a  surprise  which  caused  her  never  to  forget  that  she 
had  been  in  India. 

The  Jadoo  Wallah,  taking  the  bush  by  the  stem  near  the 
ground  with  one  hand,  loosened  it  carefully  from  the  earth. 
In  lifting  it  into  the  air,  a  half-opened  seed,  still  attached 
below  ground,  and  the  tendrils  of  new  roots  appeared.  As 
the  small  clods  of  earth  fell  away  from  these  roots,  the  whole 
bush  from  topmost  leaf  to  lowest  root-tendril,  was  exposed  to 
view  at  full  length.  Tremendous  applause  followed.  Mrs. 
Cultus  was  thoroughly  nonplussed,  mystified;  but  not  too 
much  to  find  her  purse  and  pay  the  Wallah  well  for  his  skill 
and  preparation. 

"Those  roots,"  whispered  Adele,  "made  me  feel  uncanny 
when  the  little  clods  of  earth  fell  from  them." 

"Bits  of  string,  soiled  with  moist  earth,  make  very  good 
roots  when  seen  from  a  distance,"  remarked  the  Doctor,  laugh- 
ing. "Even  better  imitations  than  the  tendrils  and  flowers  in 
your  hat,  my  dear." 


183        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

Thus,  during  their  very  first  glimpses  of  India,  they  real- 
ized they  were  encountering  an  intelligent  people,  a  branch 
of  their  own  Aryan  race,  but  of  dark  complexion,  and  given 
over  to  skilful  mystification. 

Before  reaching  Calcutta,  the  physical  exertions  of  the  tour- 
ists had  been  considerable,  Mrs.  Cultus  in  particular,  owing 
to  her  natural  antipathy  to  a  warm  climate,  seemed  to  suffer 
more  than  any,  and  in  consequence  became  seriously  ill.  One 
cannot  say  suddenly  ill,  as  often  the  case,  although  her  peram- 
bulations at  Benares,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Patna  to  visit  the 
Buddha's  bo-tree,  had  been  quite  enough  to  produce  serious 
results.  Her  strong  nerves  and  her  persistent  determination . 
not  to  be  a  burden  to  others  unless  physically  incapacitated, 
carried  her  through  until  Calcutta  was  reached.  Upon  their 
arrival  she  would  have  broken  down  at  once  if  Western  "grit" 
and  feminine  curiosity  had  not  again  asserted  themselves.  She 
would  not  give  up ;  not  at  least  until  she  had  obtained  her  own 
impression  of  the  Bengalese  capital  and  Government  House, 
to  be  able  to  talk  about  them  afterwards  at  home.  Then  she 
did  succumb,  half-purposely  as  it  were,  really  when  she  had 
left  it  until  too  late. 

"If  I  must  take  my  turn  at  collapsing,  this  is  a  much  better 
place  than  some  of  the  bungalows  where  we  were  forced  to 
bunk.  I  might  as  well  give  in  and  have  done  with  it.  Adele, 
my  dear,  I  really  do  feel  wretched."  This,  when  she  was  al- 
ready so  feeble  as  to  be  unable  to  stand. 

The  daughter  of  Anthony  "Grab"  Gains,  of  Colorado,  had 
both  grit  and  worldly  wisdom  by  inheritance,  but  she  had 
little  suspicion  then  that  these  characteristics  could  be  so 
forciblv  demonstrated,  even  while  the  spiritual  element  was 
in  the  ascendant.  This  spiritual  element  had  not  before  been 
especially  evident — in  fact,  it  had  lain  dormant,  making  her 
appear  one-sided,  and  often  unappreciative  of  much  that  in- 
terested her  daughter  as  well  as  her  husband  and  Doctor 
Wise.    The  Calcutta  physician  soon  pronounced  her  case  im- 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       183 

portant  if  not  serious,  due  to  over-exposure  in  regions  where 
malaria  of  various  kinds  should  have  been  guarded  against. 
Evidently  few  precautions  had  been  taken;  malarial  germs 
of  some  sort  had  entered  her  system;  what  particular  fever 
would  result  could  only  be  determined  after  further  observa- 
tion and  certain  tests.  This  much  the  physician  told  the  Pro- 
fessor. 

Mrs.  Cultus,  who  could  interpret  every  change  of  expression 
in  her  husband's  countenance,  and  could  read  his  thoughts  in 
such  matters  much  more  quickly  than  he  suspected,  took  in  the 
exact  situation  a  few  minutes  after  the  physician  left  her, 
when  her  husband  entered  and  began  to  potter  around  her 
room,  anxious,  but  striving  to  appear  just  the  opposite.  She 
noticed  him,  a  little  later,  take  up  a  bottle  of  medicine,  tasting 
it  as  if  he  wished  to  make  sure  as  to  its  contents.  After  he 
had  gone  out,  she  said  to  Adele : 

"My  daughter,  your  father  is  such  a  dear  man.  Do  you 
know  what  he  did? — tasted  that  medicine  himself  first,  just 
to  satisfy  himself  it  was  all  right  for  me.  Now  just  suppose 
it  had  been  poison  ?" 

Adele  looked  tenderly  at  her  mother,  fearing  lest  the  fever 
had  already  begun  to  affect  her  brain,  and  was  causing  absurd 
notions.  This  proved  to  be  the  case.  Mrs.  Cultus  became 
more  and  more  flighty,  complaining :  "My  head  feels  so  light ; 
it  seems  to  be  sailing  off  like  a  balloon."  Then,  again,  speak- 
ing in  disconnected  phrases,  her  ideas  all  mixed  and  inconse- 
quent. Adele  concluded  she  did  not  always  say  what  she 
meant  to  say,  and  therefore  did  not  give  the  impression  she 
intended  to  convey. 

All  of  which,  being  quite  natural,  was  not  surprising ;  only 
when  at  intervals  among  her  absurd  vagaries  the  patient 
startled  them  all  by  some  exceptionally  sane  remark,  indi- 
cating a  very  level  head,  indeed.  It  was  then  that  Adele  felt 
confused,  and  hardly  knew  what  to  do;  she  did  not  under- 
stand the  case. 


184:        A  TWENTIETPI  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

Drawing  affection  led  her  to  put  her  arm  around  her 
mother's  neck,  to  place  her  cheek  next  hers,  and  to  cherish  her. 
The  invalid  did  not  even  whisper  in  reply,  but  her  tacit  ac- 
ceptance seemed  to  indicate  that  she  knew  it  was  her  daughter 
near,  very  near,  and  felt  her  touch — that  was  enough. 
Fevered  imagination  was  thus  often  soothed  by  the  reality  of 
love. 

"Nothing  does  mother  so  much  good  as  to  love  her;  it's 
better  than  medicine,"  said  Adele.  "It's  very  curious  how 
quickly  her  mind  becomes  quiet  when  I  don't  say  a  word, 
only  let  her  know  with  caresses  hoiv  we  all  love  her." 

When  Adele  made  this  remark  to  the  Doctor,  he  could  only 
reiterate  what  Adele  and  her  mother  had  already  told  each 
other  by  sympathetic  touch.  "Yes,  the  greatest  thing  on 
earth  is  love,  the  beginning  and  ending  of  the  greatest  good ; 
and  it  is  indeed  a  notable  fact  in  sacred  history  that  Christ 
made  more  cures  by  the  instrumentality  of  touch,  bloodless 
operations  so  to  speak,  than  in  any  other  way ;  in  fact,  Christ 
conquered  Science  and  soared  away  beyond." 

This  assertion  seemed  to  impress  Adele  most  seriously; 
then  her  mind  turned  towards  some  particular  incident  in  her 
own  experience. 

"I  made  several  cures  myself  when  I  was  nursing  in  the 
hospital.  I  cured  one  of  the  physicians,  a  young  man,  a  mere 
boy." 

"How,  may  I  ask  ?"    The  Doctor  was  very  inquisitive. 

"Put  my  first  finger  on  his  lips — he  knew  instantly  what  I 
said — 'You  had  better  not  talk  so  much.'  " 

"Was  he  indeed  cured?" 

"Yes,  instantly.  He  had  been  rather  verdant  before,  but 
after  his  cure  he  turned  a  lovely  pea-green.  Doctor,  physi- 
cians ought  to  look  into  this  touchy-method;  there's  more 
psychology  than  medicine  in  it — that's  why  it  cures." 

"What  a  queer  girl  you  are,"  thought  the  Doctor,  serious 
himself;  and  then  recalled  what  she  had  just  said  about  her 


A  TWEJ^TIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       185 

mother,  "we  all  love  her,"  not  "how  I  love  her,"  but  'Tiow  we 
all  love  her" ;  assuming  that  her  own  affection  for  her  mother 
must  be  common  to  all  the  party. 

The  Doctor  cogitated  over  this:  "I  can  understand 
mother's  love,  and  its  response  in  all  human  kind ;  filial  love, 
brother's  love,  sisterly  affection,  and  much  that  is  implied 
thereby,  they  are  innate  in  all  races;  but  when  it  comes  to 
thinking  and  speaking  and  acting  as  if  all  others  are  sharing 
our  affection  for  the  one  we  love  in  particular,  as  Adele  as- 
sumed, then  I  think  a  still  nobler  spirit  exists,  something 
borne  in  from  without  must  have  been  granted  her.  She 
seems  even  unnaturally  good.  Here  am  I  looking  for  this 
something-worth-knowing  as  manifested  by  races  at  large 
to-day,  and  I  hear  much  in  India  about  the  brotherhood-of- 
man;  yet,  right  here  under  my  eyes  appears  a  girl  mani- 
festing it  in  her  experience,  as  if  she  knew  more  about  it  and 
its  differentiations,  truly,  than  any  of  us.  Now  one  might 
say  that  each  individual  loves  his  own  parents,  or  ought  to; 
and  certainly  here  in  Asia  what  they  call  ancestral  veneration 
does  obtain  without  necessarily  much  ardent  love ;  but  all  that 
is  a  very  different  thing  from  seeing  the  very  best  of  one's  self 
in  others,  and  acknowledging  it — feeling  that  one  is  but  an 
exponent  of  the  good  in  all,  yet  without  conceit.  That  ap- 
peals to  me  as  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  man ;  one  may 
say  unnatural,  because  more  than  natural;  and  that  is  to  be 
born  again — spiritual  rebirth." 

The  illness  of  Mrs.  Cultus  soon  manifested  another  phase. 
No  matter  how  incongruous  her  delusions  or  hallucinations 
might  be,  her  own  character,  the  principle  of  her  own  indi- 
viduality, always  dominated;  the  energy  which  lies  deeper 
than  even  the  manifestation  of  life,  on  which  the  identity  of 
man  and  his  existence  and  the  continuance  of  his  existence         ^ 
depend,  was  never  inactive;  fhe  principle  of  individuality ••''"'''^^ 
which  determines  both  the  form  of  character  and  the  physical    "^ 
frame,  as  well  as  the  connection  between  them,  was  never 


186        A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST 

violated.  It  was  Carlotta  Gains  Cultus  herself;  from  her 
came  the  thoughts.  They  were  not  words  put  into  her  mind  by 
suggestions  from  others. 

One  of  her  delusions  was  that  she  had  lost  all  her  money, 
her  fortune,  and  was  now  in  a  foreign  land  among  many 
strangers  to  whom  she  might  be  obliged  to  appeal,  in  case  fam- 
ily necessities  forced  them  to  work  for  their  living.  From  her 
point  of  view  this  was  the  direst  calamity  conceivable.  She 
expressed  herself,  however,  with  that  peculiar  tact  which 
showed  how  all  the  characteristics  she  had  inherited  from  her 
father  were  rooted  and  grounded  in  her  very  being.  She  was 
talking  to  Miss  Winchester : 

"Frank,  do  you  think  the  people  over  here  would  like  it  if 
the  Professor  should  lecture  before  them?  Would  he  draw 
good  houses?" 

Miss  Winchester  smiled,  but  knowing  full  well  that  Mrs. 
Cultus  could  not  be  easily  deceived,  and  would  not  be  satisfied 
by  anything  indefinite,  answered  as  if  serious : 

"Of  course,  he'd  draw,  once  or  twice,  on  account  of  his 
reputation ;  but  I  doubt  about  keeping  it  up." 

"Why  not,  Frank?" 

"India's  a  complicated  place,  you  know;  only  Jadoo  Wal- 
lahs and  balloon  ascensions  draw  intelligent  people — h'm ! — 
native  crowds  don't  count  any  more  than  middle-of-the-road 
people  do  at  home;  now  and  again  a  polo  or  cricket  match, 
even  the  theatres  are  at  a  discount." 

"Couldn't  we  try  the  Bishop  and  his  set  ?" 

"Certainly;  if  for  charitable  purposes." 

"Oh,  dear !  dear !"  said  the  patient  dolefully,  "not  yet  char- 
ity, not  yet."  Then  in  a  low,  troubled  voice :  "I  suppose  Adele 
and  I  must  do  something,  ourselves.  What  can  we  do  ?  I  feel 
so  helpless,  so  weak !"  Another  expedient  soon  suggested  itself. 
It  was  sad  to  see  her  thus  frantically  trying  to  think  to  some 
purpose;  finally  the  effort  was  successful. 

"Frank,  do  they  play  whist  over  here?"  and  then  realizing 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       187 

that  the  object  must  be  clearly  understood :  "I  could  give  les- 
sons myself,  but  dear  Adele,  my  precious  darling!  it  would 
be  too  much  for  her,  she  never  took  to  whist."  The  poor 
woman  seemed  so  serious,  the  situation  was  really  pathetic. 


188        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 


XXX 

CONVALESCENCE   AND    CO.MMON   SENSE 

THESE  periods  of  hallucination,  mingled  with  very 
practical  considerations,  continued  for  some  days, 
until  the  fever  ran  its  course.  Fortunately  it  is  not 
within  the  scope  of  this  story  to  note  the  progress  of  physical 
ailments ;  it  is  more  timely  to  note  the  effects  upon  the  mental 
and  the  spiritual  life  of  an  excellent  woman  ever  true  to  her- 
self and  to  others,  even  during  hallucinations.  It  was  fortu- 
nate also  that  Mrs.  Cultus  herself  relieved  her  attendants  of 
any  uncertainty  in  the  matter. 

She  had  just  passed  through  a  period  of  exceptionally  vivid 
impressions  of  disaster,  when  one  of  those  flashes  of  clearer 
perception,  before  referred  to,  came  to  her  rescue;  whether 
merely  a  reaction  from  her  previous  weak  condition,  or  because 
she  was  so  thoroughly  frightened  by  what  she  had  conceived  as 
possible,  need  not  now  be  discussed.  That  she  did  brighten 
up  marvelously  and  manifest  then  and  there  a  permanent 
change  for  the  better,  was  a  fact.  And  again  it  was  Miss 
Winchester  who  was  with  her. 

''Frank,"  said  ]\rrs.  Cultus  composedly,  and  with  an  air  of 
finality,  "I've  made  up  my  mind;  I'm  determined.'* 

'Tou  don't  say  so — good ! — about  what  ?" 

"To  get  well,  that's  the  first  thing.  I  can't  stand  this 
being  a  care  to  others." 

"You  are  better,  I'm  sure ;  much  better." 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       189 

"Not  much  as  yet,  but  I  can  see  it.    I  will  be." 

Miss  Winchester  gave  a  little  start.  "See  it?  see  what?" 
fearing  lest  the  patient  was  again  off  at  a  tangent  after  more 
disasters.  But  Mrs.  Cultus,  having  obtained  a  mental  grip 
upon  herself,  would  not  let  go,  even  if  she  still  felt  weak 
physically. 

"Tell  me  what  you  see,"  said  Miss  Winchester  gently,  tak- 
ing her  by  the  hand,  and  continuing  to  wave  the  fan  she 
held. 

"Oh,  Frank !  what  a  terrible  thing  it  would  be  to  be  caught 
in  such  a  predicament,  and  unprepared !" 

"How,  my  dear?" 

"I've  been  imagining  all  sorts  of  things — these  Indian  beds 
are  not  the  best  sort  for  me,  I  fear ;  I've  been  imagining — non- 
sense, of  course,  for  us — but  just  think  how  awful  it  would  be 
to  lose  one's  means  of  support !  be  forced  to  work  for  a  living ! 
and  then  not  be  able  to  succeed ;  I  mean  when  the  real  thing 
does  happen." 

"The  world  is  full  of  cases  like  that." 

"Yes,  I  knew  that  before;  but  now  I  have  actually  felt  it, 
just  as  if  it  were  true  in  our  own  case.  I  was  sort  of  luny  all 
the  time,  even  when  my  head  floated  off  like  a  balloon.  I 
thought  it  was  serious,  and  I  suffered  as  much  as  if  it  had 
really  been  true.  Why,  poor  Adele — it  would  have  killed  me 
to  see  her  in  such  hard  circumstances.  Adele  would  have — 
let  me  think — I'm  wrong !    Adele  would  not  have " 

A  strange  expression  came  over  her  countenance,  as  if  some- 
thing ineffably  joyous  and  precious  was  just  revealed  to  her. 
She  closed  her  eyes,  and  evidently  was  seeing  the  image  of 
her  daughter  in  a  new  light. 

Miss  Winchester  kept  on  fanning  her  gently,  hoping  she 
would  soon  fall  asleep. 

But  Mrs.  Cultus'  spiritual  discernment  had  been  quickened ; 
and  with  it  came  the  real,  true  conquest  over  both  physical 
weakness  and  mental  vagaries.    Her  eyes  opened  again,  they 


190        A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST 

■were  clearer  than  ever ;  her  voice  had  a  new  depth,  and  was 
certainly  more  sympathetic  than  before  the  fever  began — it 
manifested  the  spiritually  melodious  quality  in  essence. 

*^hat  about  Adele  ?"  asked  Miss  Winchester  tenderly. 

"Oh !  I  love  her  so  much !  She  is  so  much  to  me ;  I  cannot 
tell  you  how  much." 

"We  all  love  her,"  said  Miss  Winchester,  innocently  repeat- 
ing the  very  words  Adele  had  used  when  speaking  of  her 
mother. 

"Yes,  I  know  that,  too ;  no  one  knows  it  better  than  I ;  but 
I  now  see  something  about  her  I  never  saw  before  so  clearly." 

"Tell  me  what  it  is." 

"Frank ! — a  mystery !  Adele  is  prepared.  She  is  ready  for 
anything  that  may  happen.  None  of  us  need  ever  fear  for 
Adele,  I'm  sure  of  that;  and  I  can  see  that  she  acts  as  she  does 
because  she  feels  prepared.  I  must  tell  you  about  her;  it  is 
a  mystery,  yet  at  the  same  time  the  most  practical  thing." 

All  the  positive  elements  in  Mrs.  Cultus  now  seemed 
focused  on  the  conviction  that  Adele  was  "prepared,"  as  she 
called  it,  for  anything,  any  emergency. 

"She  has  many  to  look  to,"  said  Miss  Winchester,  "more 
than  most  girls." 

"Yes,  but  I'm  not  thinking  of  that.  I  mean  her  own 
strength,  something  within  herself,  something  I  suppose  all 
girls  could  have  if  they  were  like  Adele.  I'm  beginning  now 
to  understand  that — beginning  to  understand  a  little  of  how 
she  acts  and  why  she  does  as  she  does.  Adele  could  endure 
and  overcome  adversity;  she  enjoys  pleasure,  more  than  any 
of  us;  she  lives  what  she  believes,  and  is  not  afraid  of  any- 
thing.   Do  you  notice  it,  Frank,  Adele  is  never  afraid?" 

Miss  Winchester  felt  a  little  incredulous,  but  she  said  noth- 
ing.   Mrs.  Cultus  continued: 

"I  never  before  so  well  understood  Adele,  although  I  am 
her  mother.  At  times  she  talks  like  a  chatterbox,  but  she 
never    says    anything    unkind    about    people.      Perhaps    I 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        191 

shouldn't  say  'never,'  for  she  did  once  give  a  regular  scolding 
to  a  rascally  brute  who  was  abusing  his  horse — a  dumb  crea- 
ture that  couldn't  retaliate.  Adele  did  speak  for  the  dumb 
brute,  but  that  was  an  exceptional  case,  and  she  did  right  to 
interfere." 

"She  has  my  full  approval,''  remarked  Miss  Winchester. 
Mrs.  Cultus  continued: 

"Then  she  is  interested  in  all  babies — would  you  believe  it? 
— of  any  color.  '^Cherubs'  she  calls  them  if  she  thinks  it  will 
stop  their  crying.  I  heard  her  one  day  call  a  cherub,  'Cupid,' 
and  kiss  him.  Bless  me,  I  saw  nothing  attractive  in  that 
particular  child.  She  says  she  likes  babies  just  as  God  made 
them,  of  any  color.  Now,  Frank,  I  call  that  practical  re- 
ligion, and  Adele  turns  from  nothing;  she  is  interested  in 
all  humanity." 

"No  doubt  of  it,"  said  Miss  Winchester  thoughtfully,  as  if 
recalling  an  instance  known  to  her  personally. 

Mrs.  Cultus  continued:  "But  when  it  comes  to  talkative 
religion,  Adele  is  more  conservative,  says  little  or  nothing — 
only  acts  naturally  what  she  feels.     And  the  strangest  thing 

of  all  is "  and  Adele's  mother  paused  an  instant  as  if  she 

ought  to  be  careful  about  what  she  wished  to  say. 

"What?"  asked  Miss  Winchester,  closely  attentive. 

"Why,  she  is  always  so  sure,  so  perfectly  sure  in  her  own 
mind,  as  if  under  the  influence  of  some  invisible  power — 
something  mystical,  you  see,  but  very  practical,  too.  I  never 
heard  her  say  much  about  it  but  once — you  remember  when 
she  spoke  to  that  Geyser  Science  woman  on  the  Atlantic 
steamer? — and  then  she  certainly  did  express  herself  like  a 
girl  much  older,  very  precocious,  to  my  notion.  Do  you  know 
what  I  think,  Frank?" 

"No,  I  can't  imagine." 

"Well,  Adele  was  talking  about  Christ,  and  she  was  per- 
fectly fearless;  you  remember  how  He  talked,  when  only  a 
youth_,  to  the  Doctors  in  the  Temple  ?" 


192        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

It  was  difficult  for  Miss  Winchester  to  accept  this  com- 
parison ;  and  seeing  her  hesitate,  Mrs.  Cultus  tried  to  express 
herself  in  better  form : 

"It  seems  to  me  Adele  had  the  same  spirit,  and  that's  what 
I  feel.  Now  you  remember  that  Geyser  Doctor,  who  at  first 
appeared  so  placid,  and  talked  about  what  she  really  knew  so 
little;  and  then  ended  by  exploding  her  ideas?  Frank,  I 
shall  never  forget  her,  or  the  explosion,  and  its  effect  on 
Adele.  It  was  the  first,  last,  and  only  time  I  ever  saw  Adele 
in  a  religious  discussion,  and  I  never  expect  to  see  her  so 
caught  again;  in  fact,  she  told  me  she  would  never  indulge 
again,  not  if  she  knew  it  in  time." 

Miss  Winchester  nodded  in  remembrance,  and  was  much 
surprised  that  Mrs.  Cultus  should  be  able  to  display  so  much 
of  her  old-time  vigor,  when  lately  she  was  so  weak.  "Her 
spirit  is  stronger  than  ever,"  thought  Miss  Winchester.  An- 
other pause,  and  then  Mrs.  Cultus  continued : 

"I  shall  never  forget  that  scene,  because  the  child  talked 
as  if  she  knew  personally  Him  in  whom  she  believed ;  as  if  the 
One  in  whom  she  believed  was  being  misquoted,  if  not  actually 
slandered,  and  all  that  sort  of  thing." 

Miss  Winchester  listened  more  attentively  than  ever. 

"My  dear,  the  child  was  right.  I  can  see  it  all  now.  A  sort 
of  holy  jealousy,  because  she  was  averse  to  hearing  anything 
so  misleading  attributed  to  Him  in  whom  she  believed.  Now, 
for  a  girl  to  feel  that  way  means  a  great  deal,  a  very  great 
deal — it  means  everything.  Adele  was  far  more  than  inter- 
ested; she  felt  intensely  all  she  said.  How  did  she  do  it? 
Why  did  she  do  it?  Had  the  Holy  Spirit  spoken  in  her 
heart  ?  Frank,  that  is  a  mystery !  Nobody,  I  trust,  can  de- 
ceive me  about  such  things,  and  I  can  see  so  much  more  than 
ever  now,  and  in  a  new  light.  Now,  I  know  God  is  Love,  be- 
cause He  gave  me  Adele,  and  I  try  to  love  Him  for  it;  and 
just  between  us,  you  and  me,  myself,  it  is  going  to  be  very 
hard  for  me  to  give  her  up,  even  to  Paul." 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       193 

Miss  Winchester  would  not  have  interrupted  Mrs.  Cultus 
on  any  account  as  she  was  thus  opening  her  own  heart  freely, 
fearlessly.  There  was  a  beauty  in  these  revelations  funda- 
mentally holy. 

"One  of  the  strange  things,"  continued  Adele's  mother,  "is 
how  nothing  has  been  changed  with  Adele  since  she  became 
engaged  to  Paul ;  just  the  reverse,  her  feelings  seem  even  more 
intense ;  and  her  love  for  Paul  influences  her  for  good  in  every 
way.'* 

Miss  Winchester,  not  wishing  to  intrude  in  these  family 
matters,  made  an  effort  to  change  the  subject;  but  it  was  of 
no  use.  Mrs.  Cultus  was  too  much  interested  in  her  daugh- 
ter's future  to  talk  of  anything  else;  while  her  natural  tact 
was  too  vigilant  to  admit  of  any  indiscretion. 

"Adele  and  Paul,"  said  she,  "with  all  their  nonsense  and 
lovers'  pranks,  get  more  out  of  their  fun  than  any  young  peo- 
ple I  ever  saw.  I've  watched  'em  often.  Adele  does  not  give 
up  a  thing  worth  seeing,  and  she  goes  into  unspeakable  places 
with  her  Father  and  Paul.  They  tell  me  not  to  worry  about 
her,  for  she  is  always  equal  to  any  emergency.  I  wasn't  so 
fearless  when  I  was  a  girl.  But  Adele  is  different.  I  shouldn't 
be  surprised  if  she  did  get  into  trouble  some  time." 

"Of  course  she  may — that's  where  the  fun  comes  in,"  said 
Miss  Winchester,  less  serious. 

Adele's  mother  looked  up  in  alarm.  "What  are  you  laugh- 
ing at,  Frank  ?    Has  she  already  been  getting  into  scrapes  ?" 

"Oh,  no  scrape,  but  I  saw  her  on  her  dignity  in  a  little 
scene  at  Benares." 

"What  was  it?" 

"We  were  in  one  of  the  temples,  and  a  young  Brahmin  ap- 
proached her  when  she  was  a  little  distance  from  us  and 
alone.  He  was  a  good-looking  young  fellow,  and  he  seemed 
to  know  it.  What  he  said  I  don't  know,  and  what  she  saw 
wrong  in  him  I  can  only  conjecture,  but  the  few  glances  she 
gave  him  put  him  in  a  different  frame  of  mind.    He  certainly 


194        A  TWEXTIETH  CEXTUEY  IDEALIST 

changed  his  manner  and  bearing  as  if  forced  to  recognize 
some  superiority  in  her.  One  doesn't  often  see  that  sort  of 
thing  in  young  Brahmins,  or  their  elders  either.  Only  too 
often  that  caste  seems  to  arrogate  to  itself  a  special  license  to 
do  as  it  pleases." 

"There !  I  told  you  she  was  never  afraid !"  exclaimed  Mrs. 
Cultus.  "iVdele  changed  that  fellow's  mind  by  a  glance — and 
a  Brahmin  at  that;  overcome  by  the  use  of  his  own  weapons. 
No,  she  is  fearless.  Whatever  she  does,  she's  never  afraid. 
Very  mysterious,  yet  so  much  common  sense  to  make  it  ef- 
fective. It  is  as  if — as  if — oh,  how  shaU  I  express  what  I 
want  to  say  in  a  few  words?  as  if — the  truth  had  made  her 
free." 

"Why,  she  must  be  a  veritable  Christian  Psychologist,"  said 
Miss  Winchester,  seriously. 

"There  is  no  doubt  of  it,"  answered  Adele's  mother,  con- 
fidently. "Adele  believes  in  the  Greatest  Psychologist  that 
ever  lived." 

No  more  was  said,  and  Mrs.  Cultus  pondered  over  these 
things  in  her  heart.  The  exertion  of  talking  had  fatigued 
her,  in  spite  of  the  increased  spiritual  strength  which  had 
been  born  of  her  suffering.  While  looking  at  some  flowers 
which  Paul  had  brought  into  her  room,  their  beauty  seemed 
to  lift  her  soul  beyond  them.  Was  it  into  the  region  of  her 
own  youth,  or  of  Adele's  youth  ? — or  more  beautiful  still,  the 
realm  of  Perpetual  Youth  ?    Sleep  came  nigh. 

She  noticed  that  Paul's  flowers  were  buds  just  ready  to 
bloom.  There  was  among  them  a  lily,  not  a  lily  of  the  valley 
but  of  the  Annunciation;  an  Easter  lily,  double  emblem  of 
new  life — new  life  here,  and  resurrection  into  the  New  Life 
of  Perpetual  Youth.  It  was  the  same  sort  of  lily  that  she 
remembered  seeing  in  a  sacred  picture  representing  an  Angel's 
Visit. 

As  Nature's  Comforter,  restful  slumber,  closed  her  eyelids 
in  blessed  peace,  she  seemed  to  behold  herself  in  the  act  of 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        195 

giving  this  lily  to  Paul.  Miss  Winchester  heard  the  whisper- 
ing as  she  dozed  off : 

"Take  it,  Paul;  it  is  a  priceless  treasure.  This  bud  in 
blooming  will  sweeten  all  your  life.  Solomon  in  all  his  glory 
was  not  arrayed  like  one  of  these." 

Certainly  an  unexpected  conclusion  to  be  reached  by  the 
worldly-minded  Mrs.  Cultus;  but  practical,  as  truth  itself  is 
both  mystical  and  practical.  How  different  the  hallucinations 
during  illness  and  bodily  weakness,  from  the  spiritual  ex- 
perience, the  visions  of  truth  which  really  conquer  physical 
weakness  and  rise  into  the  Realm  of  Perpetual  Youth ! 

"Verily,  a  double  blessing  she  gave  them,"  said  Miss  Win- 
chester— "youth  here,  youth  perpetual." 


19G        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 


XXXI 


OFF  TO  THE  HIMALAYAS 


D 


TJRING  the  convalescence  of  Mrs.  Cultus  the  physi- 
cians recommended  that  she  be  taken  to  a  more 
salubrious  climate,  a  higher  altitude ;  and  suggested 
Darjeeling  in  North  Bengal  near  the  borders  of  Sikhim  as  an 
admirable  sanitarium.  Adele  was  delegated  to  suggest  it  to 
her  mother.  She  entered  the  sick-room  in  great  glee,  drawing 
Paul  in  with  her. 

"Little  Mother,  we've  all  been  ordered  off ;  Paul  and  I  have 
already  thought  of  flying  upwards  to  the  Himalayas,  and  now 
we  all  must  go." 

"What's  that  you  say  about  flying  away?  Who's  ordered 
it?    I  didn't." 

"The  physicians,"  said  Paul  much  amused.  "We  need  to 
take  the  usual  Oriental  prescription  for  foreigners — Vamoose 
the  ranchibus;  get  out!" 

"Do  Hindoos  prescribe  in  Latin?    What  does  it  mean?" 

"To  be  taken  instantly,"  said  Miss  Winchester,  laughing, 
"and  all  take  the  same  dose." 

"Where  did  you  say  we  are  to  go?  Up  where?"  persisted 
Mrs.  Cultus,  now  beginning  to  enter  into  the  spirit  of  the 
thing. 

"To  the  mountains,"  said  Adele  joyfully,  "up  to  Sikhim." 

"Sic  'em !"  and  Mrs.  Cultus'  eyes  twinkled.  "Is  it  a  hunt- 
ing scheme  for  Paul  and  the  Doctor?  Are  there  dogs  up 
there?" 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        197 

Evidently  mental  alertness  had  returned  to  the  invalid. 
Adele  thought  so,  and  nodded  to  Paul : 

"Come,  boys!  get  your  guns,  and  call  the  dogs — I  mean 
your  tickets  for  the  trip ;  I'll  attend  to  the  rest." 

Paul  vanished  to  make  arrangements  for  the  journey. 


Never  did  a  more  interested  and  hilarious  party  start  north- 
ward towards  Kunchingunga ;  towards  the  foot-hills  of  Sik- 
him,  between  Nepaul  and  Bhootan.  From  the  crest  of  these 
foot-hills  they  hoped  to  see  the  Himalaya  range  stretching 
east  and  west,  like  unto  a  barrier  insurmountable,  towering 
aloft  into  thin  air  which  no  man  could  breathe  and  yet  live; 
terra  firma  supporting  glaciers  a  mile  in  vertical  height ;  terra 
incognita,  for  no  man  had  yet  been  able  to  tread  thereon. 
Eegion  of  the  seen,  yet  unseen,  because  imlivable  to  mortals 
as  at  present  constituted. 

No  other  portion  of  their  tour  gave  better  opportunity  to 
bring  out  individual  traits  of  character  than  this ;  for  nature 
herself  was  to  be  met  in  many  moods.  Professor  Cultus  sug- 
gested that  each  member  of  the  party  should  select  a  specialty 
for  personal  observation. 

Miss  Winchester  jumped  at  this  idea,  like  a  reporter  for  a 
woman's  home  journal.  She  selected  the  varied  ejaculations 
of  the  natives ;  "grunts,"  as  she  called  them. 

"Every  race  seems  to  grunt  differently,  and  every  idol 
swears  differently.  I  suppose  prayers  are  diverse  also,  but  the 
grunts  will  be  enough  for  me.  We  shall  have  hot-weather 
sighs,  and  cold-weather  shivers;  torrid  zone  lassitude  and 
temperate  zone  platitude;  Hindoo  shuffles  and  Mongolian 
shrugs,  each  accompanied  by  its  appropriate  ejaculation  or 
grunt.  It  is  astonishing  how  much  grunting  is  heard.  Asia 
is  like  a  Florida  razor-back  settlement  on  a  large  scale.  I 
shall  be  kept  quite  busy;  and  no  doubt  myself  become  quite 


198        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

accomplished."  Miss  Winchester  was  evidently  in  high 
feather,  finding  her  surroundings  inspiring  from  a  literary 
point  of  view. 

"The  Himalayas  will  suit  your  purpose  admirably/*  re- 
marked the  Doctor. 

"How  so?" 

"You  may  write  a  dialect  story  on  your  way — all  grunts, 
and  nothing  else." 

Paul  thought  the  subject  of  the  rapid  changes  from  one 
kind  of  vegetation  to  another  would  suit  him  as  a  specialty. 
"There  ought  to  be  enough  variety  in  ferns,  palms,  and  nat- 
ural shrubbery,  to  say  nothing  of  tea,  quinine  and  poppies 
(opium)  to  excite  or  soothe  as  we  require  doses."  Paul  was 
evidently  hoping  to  obtain  some  plants  for  his  Florida  Gar- 
den, his  winter  home,  between  Pelican  Lodge  and  the  salt 
waves.  There  the  Pelicans  were  omnivorous  birds,  not  being 
restricted  to  ordinary  pelican  diet. 

Adele  said  she  expected  to  be  engaged  chiefly  in  "looking 
up." 

"Not  guide-books,  I  hope?"  quizzed  Miss  Winchester. 

*^'Only  when  I  lie  down,  to  take  a  siesta;  they  will  serve  as 
a  sedative." 

'^Whatever  you  do,"  said  Mrs.  Cultus,  ever  practical  and 
worldly-wise,  "be  sure  to  jot  down  notes.  You  remember  my 
report  on  Tangiers  to  our  Politely  Civil  League  ?  Memoranda 
came  in  splendidly  then ;  I've  just  received  a  note  of  thanks 
for  my  'communications.' " 

"You  mean  your  'proceedings,'  my  dear,"  grunted  the  Pro- 
fessor. 

Miss  Winchester  at  once  made  mental  note  of  the  Pro- 
fessor's mode  of  ejaculation,  as  indicative  of  the  Occidental 
grunt  in  contradistinction  to  the  Asiatic. 

"Miss  Cultus  is  correct,"  interrupted  the  Doctor,  champion 
inquisitor  and  note-jotter  of  the  party.    "No  brain  could  re- 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        199 

member,  much  less  assimilate,  all  that  we  are  going  to  see, 
without  taking  notes." 

At  this  point  they  were  interrupted  by  the  call  to  take  their 
places  in  the  railway  carriage  at  Calcutta,  for  their  first  four 
hours  by  rail  to  Damookdea  on  the  Ganges. 


200        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 


XXXII 

THE    START    UPWARDS 

EN  ROUTE  from  Calcutta,  many  villages  were  situated 
amid  luxuriant  bamboos,  palms  and  grasses,  where 
the  Bengali  cultivators  of  the  soil  worked  hard  for  a 
portion  of  the  year,  and  then  during  the  heated  term  put  in 
their  time  loafing,  bathing  in  puddles,  and  raising  children; 
some  of  the  children  looked  as  if  so  raised — in  puddles.  Life 
was  known  to  ebb  and  flow  spasmodically  in  that  region,  at 
times  receding  to  the  very  verge  of  famine,  only  to  return  and 
overflow  the  country  with  abundance.  Life  was  like  a  candle 
burning  at  both  ends  in  days  of  plenty,  to  be  followed  by 
total  darkness,  where  skeletons  groped,  wailing  and  gnashing 
their  teeth. 

The  foliage  was  luxuriant,  and  of  rapid  growth;  but  not 
calculated  to  endure  much  strife  with  wind  and  storm.  Very 
beautiful,  however,  were  some  of  the  compensations  in  nature : 
when  the  graceful  banana  leaves  were  blighted  by  the  adverse 
forces,  and  fell  limp,  black,  and  apparently  useless;  in  the 
very  act  of  dying  they  fell  over  the  clusters  of  fruit  below, 
thus  protecting  their  offspring  after  they  themselves  had  re- 
turned to  dust,  in  some  cases  cremated  by  the  sun,  ashes  to 
ashes.  Many  human  beings  had  no  doubt  sacrificed  themselves 
in  the  same  way,  involving  physical  and  nervous  prostration, 
since  Vishnu  was  the  real  preserver,  and  they  were  Vishnubs. 
A  mysterious  parallel.  Altruism,  to  a  certain  degree,  exists 
between  plant  life  and  humanity;  and  one  often  hears  the 
natives  speak  of  the  transmigration  of  souls.  Numerous 
birds  of  brilliant  plumage  flitted  about,  and  rows  of  paroquets 
sat  on  the  telegraph  wires;  as  the  natives  said,  reading  and 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST       201 

reporting  the  messages.  Did  not  the  monkeys  show  great 
wisdom  and  skill  in  constructing  bridges  of  their  own  bodies 
for  Krishna  to  escape  by  passing  over?  Surely  birds  must 
know  something  if  monkeys  were  so  wise.  So  also  reasoned 
the  natives,  with  variations,  each  man  after  his  own  kind. 

Miss  Winchester  in  time  took  down  a  number  of  the  native 
ejaculations  apropos  of  these  things;  and  Mrs.  Cultus,  of 
course,  reported  all  such  facts  to  her  special  committee  of  the 
"Pet-Monkey  Section"  of  the  "Eandness  to  Animal  League." 

"I  did  not  know  that  Asia  was  so  kind  to  animals,"  said 
she.  The  Doctor  laughed :  "I  fear  it  is  a  sort  of  ^touch-me-not, 
taste-me-not'  kindness."  "More  absurd  proceedings,"  thought 
the  Professor.  Adele  did  not  laugh ;  on  the  contrary  she  was 
as  usual  much  interested  in  children,  and  these  people  seemed 
to  her  to  be  in  the  childhood  period  of  the  human  race.  "They 
believe  it  all,"  said  Adele,  "and  so  did  I  when  I  was  in  the 
nursery;  my  dolly  always  talked,  and  monkeys  scared  us 
both." 

The  river  Ganges  was  crossed  at  Damookdea,  in  the  dark- 
ness, on  the  steamer  "Vampire."  Torchlights  upon  the  dis- 
tant shore  showed  the  river  to  be  nearly  a  mile  wide,  the 
further  sides  rising  to  form  low  bluffs.  A  huge  sand-bar  lay 
opposite  the  primitive  wharf,  and  had  to  be  circumnavigated ; 
which  was  made  difficult  by  the  strong  current  and  the  tor- 
tuous eddies  whirling  in  many  directions.  They  saw  fishing- 
smacks  etched  against  the  sky,  with  their  lights  bobbing  up 
and  down ;  the  nets  were  carried  on  enormous  bamboo  frames 
which  shone  against  the  lights  like  spider  webs.  The  prows 
and  sterns  of  the  boats  were  pointed  and  rose  high  in  peculiar 
curves.  The  same  boats,  seen  afterwards  in  daylight,  pro- 
pelled by  a  single  boatman,  whose  form  showed  against  the 
blue  waves,  were  quite  as  picturesque  as  the  gondolas  at 
Venice. 

Then  all  night  on  the  train,  crossing  the  plains,  and  in  the 
morning  Silliguri,  the  station  at  the  track's  end,  apparent^. 


202        A  TWENTIETH  CEXTUEY  IDEALIST 

Paul  proceeded  to  reconnoitre  among  the  crowds  who  gath- 
ered about  and  under  the  railway  sheds.  There  were  officials, 
indigo  planters,  race-course  frequenters,  Anglo-Saxons  and 
Germans,  among  the  much  more  numerous  dark-skinned 
natives. 

The  preponderance  of  white  garments  showed  the  district 
to  be  yet  on  the  comparatively  low-level,  but  a  glance  north- 
ward told  a  different  story;  woodlands  rising  in  billows  of 
foliage. 

Paul  beckoned  to  the  party  to  hasten;  his  expression  an 
amused  interrogation  point. 

"The  railway  has  shrunk;  prepare  to  shrink,  or  you  will 
not  be  comfortable  in  your  new  quarters;"  and  he  escorted 
them  to  the  miniature  Himalaya  train  which  stood  at  the 
end  of  the  shed  ready  to  ascend  skyward. 

Miss  Winchester  at  once  dubbed  it  "The  Fly  Express." 

Mrs.  Cultus,  looking  over  the  top  of  one  of  the  cars  and 
then  bending  down  to  see  inside,  exclaimed:  "Are  we  really 
to  go  up  in — that  thing?    It's  a  big  toy,  for  little  children." 

Hiss  Winchester  at  once  crawled  in;  then  peeping  out  like 
a  bird  in  a  cage :  "I  have  already  shrunk — it  feels  quite  cozy." 

Adele  did  not  much  relish  such  close  quarters,  and  asked: 
"Can't  we  ride  on  top  ?" 

Only  the  first-class  coaches  were  inclosed ;  the  second-class 
had  low  partitions ;  the  third-class  had  seats  in  rows,  open  on 
all  sides,  covered  overhead  not  unlike  American  trolleys  in 
summer.  The  width  of  the  train  accommodated  only  three 
abreast,  without  any  aisle ;  the  car  wheels  were  about  eighteen 
inches  high;  the  car  floor,  into  which  the  wheels  were  set, 
was  only  a  little  over  a  foot  above  the  ground.  Sitting  within, 
one  could  easily  touch  the  ground  with  an  umbrella.  The 
engine  appeared  like  a  toy  in  dimensions,  but  it  was  very 
powerful;  like  a  strong  healthy  boy  who  could  successfully 
pull  or  push,  but  not  very  effective  for  sprinting. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       203 

"I  like  that  engine/"  said  Paul,  "he's  chunky,  but  tough; 
I  guess  we'll  get  there  all  right." 

The  luggage  was  carried  on  platform  trucks,  covered  with 
tarpaulins;  and  this  whole  remarkable  cortege  was  capable 
of  advancing  at  the  reckless  speed  of  eight  miles  an  hour. 

Some  French  tourists  at  once  took  places  in  "the  first," 
hereby  assuming  the  usual  American  prerogative  to  pay  more 
and  receive  less  than  was  due.  Mrs.  Cultus  entered  the  same 
apartment,  as  she  required  protection  on  account  of  her  health 
and  some  one  constantly  in  attendance.  Thus  cooped  up, 
Mrs.  Cultus,  Miss  Winchester,  and  the  Frenchmen,  made  a 
coterie  of  their  own;  Mrs.  Cultus  somewhat  uneasy  lest  the 
movement  of  the  train  might  deposit  a  Frenchman  in  her 
lap  at  any  moment.  The  ladies,  intensely  curious,  thrust 
their  heads  through  the  little  windows,  like  children  on  an 
excursion ;  the  Professor  called,  "Look  out !" 

Mrs.  Cultus  quickly  drew  in  her  head. 

A  Frenchman  instantly  asked,  most  politely  in  manner : 

'^hat  have  you,  Madame  ?    Monsieur  said,  'Look  out !' " 

*'But  he  meant  just  the  opposite,"  quoth  Mrs.  Cultus. 

"Hein !  what  a  diabolical  language !" 

Miss  Winchester  here  made  a  double  addition  to  her  col- 
lection. Adele,  since  her  mother  was  comfortably  settled, 
began  looking  around  to  locate  herself;  she  espied  a  place 
just  suited  to  her  ideas,  at  the  rear  of  the  train,  on  the  last 
trolley  truck.  She  and  Paul  perched  themselves  on  a  good 
square  trunk,  and  were  not  visible  to  those  in  front  when  the 
Flyer  showed  symptoms  of  flying.  This  resulted  in  the  Pro- 
fessor and  Doctor  Wise  being  greatly  puzzled  to  know  "what 
had  become  of  those  children." 

The  whistle  gave  a  Himalaya  shriek,  and  the  foremost 
coaches  commenced  to  joggle  before  the  "children"  were  dis- 
covered. In  the  hurry  there  was  nothing  for  the  dignified 
elders  to  do  but  to  scramble  on,  as  best  they  could,  the  same 
truck  with  Adele  and  Paul. 


204        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

Thus  this  inquisitive-exploration  party  commenced  their 
ascent  of  the  famous  Himalayas  with  a  detachment  of  inquis- 
itives  at  each  end  of  the  train.  Hilarious?  who  could  help 
being  so  on  the  Fly  Express,  rushing  through  the  exhilarating 
air  direct  from  the  Himalayas,  at  eight  miles  an  hour?  when 
none  would  wish  a  moment  curtailed;  there  was  so  much  to 
be  seen,  sitting  there  on  a  trunk  and  looking  in  the  direction 
of  Kunchingunga ! 

Adele  adjusted  some  robes  taken  from  her  strapped  lug- 
gage, in  an  effort  to  make  her  father  more  comfortable.  It 
was  fortunate  she  had  done  so,  for  the  joggle-train  began  a 
frightful  series  of  alternate  jerks  and  bumps.  Doctor  Wise 
described  its  construction  as  "articulated,"  especially  adapted 
to  requirements  of  the  line.  When  on  a  level  each  car  took 
its  own  gait,  the  equipment  loosely  hung  together  to  facilitate 
running  around  sharp  curves ;  a  comical  rattling  arrangement 
more  ludicrous  than  agreeable,  until  it  was  stretched  out  in 
making  the  ascent.  Adele  seized  Paul  and  her  father  alter- 
nately in  convulsive  efforts  to  hold  on. 

"I  think  I'd  better  get  inside  the  trunk,"  she  gasped,  when 
a  tremendous  lurch  threatened  to  tilt  over  the  whole  combina- 
tion. 

It  was  the  last  lurch,  however,  for  the  train  had  now  struck 
the  high  grade  of  one  foot  in  twenty-eight,  and  at  certain 
points  one  in  twenty-two.  It  drew  itself  out  to  full  length, 
the  strong-boy  engine  sturdily  dragging  the  apparatus  after 
him. 

From  the  start  the  lift  was  perceptible. 

Silliguri  lies  at  an  elevation  of  less  than  five  hundred  feet 
above  the  sea.  Ghoom  Station,  the  summit  of  the  line,  is 
only  thirty-six  miles  distant,  at  an  elevation  approximating 
seven  thousand  feet  higher.  That  this  difference  should  be 
surmounted  in  one  short  stretch  of  road  was,  in  its  day,  a 
marvel  of  engineering  skill.  The  Himalaya  spur-hills  upon 
the  southern  side  are  often  thus  abrupt,    hence    the    top- 


A  TWEN'TIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       205 

ographical  difficulties  to  be  overcome  by  the  miniature  rail- 
way. The  line  followed  the  old  cart-road  built  by  the  Eng- 
lish Government  some  eighty  years  previous,  crossing  and  re- 
crossing,  oscillating  from  one  side  to  the  other  to  gain 
distance.  Doctor  Wise  could  not  help  expressing  admiration 
for  those  early  engineers  who  had  originally  penetrated  this 
region,  and  had  located  the  cart-road  where  the  native  trails 
were  little  better  than  the  trails  of  wild  animals;  and  for 
their  later  brothers  in  the  same  profession  whose  skill  had 
adapted  rails  and  motive  power  to  such  peculiar  conditions. 

Adele  said  she  felt  herself  ascending  the  mountain  "squirrel 
fashion,  by  zigzags,  and  the  longest  way  round  was  the 
shortest  way  up." 

The  train,  after  a  short  run  through  the  thick  woods,  crept 
out  upon  a  knoll,  and  before  them  opened  upwards  a  superb 
vista;  seen  through  a  ravine  it  expanded  heavenward;  and 
they  caught  sight  of  a  mountain-spur  jutting  out  against  the 
sky,  far  above  them  in  the  cloud  region.  It  was  indented; 
they  could  plainly  see  the  dent  with  their  glasses — it  looked 
as  if  a  roadway  might  pass  through.  The  point  stood  boldly 
out  in  space,  with  clouds  beyond ;  the  main  range  hidden  from 
view,  the  impression  conveyed  was  that  this  promontory  might 
be  near  their  destination. 

^'Can  that  be  the  summit?"  exclaimed  Adele;  and  an 
answer  came  to  her  in  rather  an  interesting  fashion. 

While  they  had  been  joggling  along,  a  party  of  civil  engi- 
neers connected  with  the  railway,  waiting  to  take  the  train, 
had  noticed  a  pretty  girl  sitting  upon  the  rear  truck,  evi- 
dently in  for  a  frolic,  and  at  once  concluded  it  was  a  good 
location  for  themselves  also.  They  had  boarded  the  truck, 
and  were  sitting  upon  the  lower  part  quite  ready  for  any  inno- 
cents abroad,  reportorial  or  globe  trotting,  when  Adele 
noticed  the  railway  cut  far  up  on  the  mountain-side ;  of  course 
they  volunteered  the  necessary  information : 


206        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"Oh,  that's  only  chilly  Knrseong,  where  passengers  begin 
to  sneeze,"  answered  the  civil  engineer. 

Adele.  also  responsive,  gave  an  appreciative  mock  sneeze  at 
once,  adding  she  "needed  a  little  practice  after  being  so  long 
down  on  the  plains/' 

"Others  take  tea  for  colds,"  responded  the  civil  engineer. 
"Knrseong  tea  is,  you  know,  tip-top." 

"Then  it  is  the  summit  ?"  quizzed  Paul. 

"No,  only  halfway  up,  when  you  reach  that  point;  the  real 
summit  will  appear  as  far  aloft  as  that  does  now." 

"Oh !"  said  the  Doctor,  "then,  as  the  Florida  'crackers' 
would  say,  we  are  just  'two  sights'  from  the  real  summit." 

"They  measure  by  sights  there,  do  they?"  remarked  the 
Professor.  "In  Switzerland  they  measure  by  hours;  and 
down  in  Calcutta  I  noticed  Hindoos  who  measured  time  by 
the  numbers  of  pipes  they  could  smoke." 

Adele  gazed  in  amazement.  It  seemed  hardly  credible  that 
this  lofty  point,  over  one  thousand  feet  higher  than  the 
famous  view-point  on  the  Gemmi  Pass  in  the  Alps,  should  be 
only  halfway  up,  that  the  foot-hills  of  the  Himalayas  cov- 
,ered  with  verdure  were  as  lofty  as  Mont  Blanc  covered  with 
snow  fields  and  glaciers.  All  the  party  began  to  realize  the 
grand  scale  upon  which  the  Himalayas  are  built. 

"So  much  for  low  latitude  and  high  snow-line,"  remarked 
the  Professor.  "Now  look  out  for  changes  in  vegetation,  races 
and  costumes ;"  all  of  which  soon  became  apparent. 

These  southern  slopes  being  protected  by  the  high  range 
beyond,  and  the  low  latitude  in  wliich  they  are  situated,  make 
it  possible  to  reproduce  the  vegetation  of  all  the  zones  within 
an  incredibly  short  distance.  The  Doctor  remarked :  "It  is 
as  if  we  were  traveling,  in  the  short  distance  of  about  forty 
miles,  from  Cuba  to  Canada."  The  effect  as  if  the  earth's 
surface  had  been  tilted  upwards,  so  that  to  ascend  the  moun- 
tain spurs  was  really  to  travel  towards  the  Frigid  Zone;  and 
that  the  north-pole  must  be  up  above  them  instead  of  being 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       207 

in  its  supposed  proper  place,  the  middle  of  the  north.  This 
state  of  things,  so  unusual  to  Adele,  made  a  vivid  impression 
upon  her  as  they  advanced  upwards. 

The  marshy  lands  and  thatched  houses  of  the  type  to  be 
found  on  the  plains,  enclosed  by  fences  of  matting  hung  upon 
bamboo  poles,  with  mud-puddles  for  public  bathing — all  these 
began  to  disappear.  There  were  fewer  clumps  of  tall  grasses 
twenty  feet  in  height  with  tufted  heads,  and  of  plume  like 
pampas;  the  mighty  bamboo,  and  the  giant  cactus  ever 
grotesque,  always  on  the  defensive,  even  while  bearing  down 
vegetation  mightier  than  itself — these  were  left  below.  Soon 
there  were  less  fruits,  wild  mulberries,  pomegranates,  dates, 
figs,  lady-finger  bananas  of  delicious  strawberry  flavor.  These 
became  less  and  less  frequent,  although  there  were  still  to  be 
seen  some  of  the  five  varieties  of  figs  and  twelve  varieties  of 
bamboos.  These  continued  with  them  to  an  elevation  of  one 
thousand  feet.  What  they  now  began  to  admire  was  the  pro- 
fusion of  roses  and  the  luxuriant  boughanvillia  with  rich  dark- 
red  blossoms,  much  richer  and  darker  even  than  in  Florida, 
more  akin  to  that  in  the  Bermudas,  or  at  Hong  Kong.  But 
even  these  souvenirs  of  the  South  passed  from  view  as  the 
panorama  continued  to  move;  semi-tropical  luxuriance  con- 
stantly giving  place  to  stronger  growths.  Wild  orange,  also 
peaches  and  lemons,  were  seen  among  the  bananas.  Banyans 
with  pendant  branch  roots  spreading  the  parent  growth 
through  the  forest;  cotton-wood  trees  built  with  buttress- 
roots,  as  the  Doctor  remembered  seeing  them  at  Nassau ;  and 
wormwood  twelve  feet  high.  Ferns  in  profusion,  graceful  as 
ever,  some  of  them  old  friends  of  the  Alleghanies ;  for  the 
ferns  are  the  most  inveterate  gad-abouts,  constantly  visiting 
poor  relations  in  almost  every  zone  and  climate. 

Here  and  there  were  now  to  be  seen  terrestrial  orchids, 
vigorous  specimens,  holding  their  own  amid  the  foliage  of 
their  adopted  parents,  pines,  oaks  and  other  hardwood  trees — 
a  curious  combination.     Persistent  bamboos  of  hardier  vari- 


208       A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

eties  still  obtained ;  they  flourished  along  the  water  courses  at 
the  foot-hills,  and  swept  their  graceful  curves  over  adjacent 
knolls.  Such  slender  growths,  although  tough  and  strong, 
became  too  attenuated  to  support  themselves  in  an  upright 
position;  their  immense  copious  fountains  of  foliage  took  not 
only  curves  of  ascent  like  the  cocoanut,  palmetto,  and  superb 
talipot,  but  also  the  return  curves  of  leafy  spray  ruffling  the 
surface  of  the  little  streams. 

Then  there  were  glens  and  shady  hollows  decorated  with 
lichens  and  pendulous  mosses ;  trailing  growths  of  verdure  of 
countless  kinds,  carpets  of  tiny  ferns — some  mysterious 
growths  of  sombre  reds  with  vitreous  lustre,  as  well  as  greens 
so  delicate  that  they  hid  themselves  from  the  direct  rays  of 
the  sun;  not  to  mention  horrible  nettles  and  poison  vines; 
terrors  to  thin-skinned  visitors,  but  as  little  regarded  by  the 
natives  as  were  the  leeches  in  the  swamps,  and  the  pestiferous 
insects  in  the  jungles.  Bad  plants,  which  the  natives  said  had 
been  bad  people  in  some  previous  incarnation ;  hence  had  been 
incarnated  backwards  and  downwards,  not  forwards  and  up- 
wards. 

Adele  much  appreciated  these  flights  of  fancy  among  the 
natives;  they  seemed  soi  much  like  nursery  stories  when  she 
was  in  the  nursery  herself.  She  was  on  the  lookout  to  kodak 
each  new  scene,  and  at  times  almost  in  despair. 

"I  might  as  well  acknowledge  that  the  Himalayas,  like 
Niagara,  cannot  be  crowded  into  a  small  picture,  but  some 
of  those  crazy  cacti  I  really  must  catch;  there  now  is  some- 
thing already  posing  to  be  taken — let  me  catch  him ;"  and  she 
balanced  herself  on  the  top  of  the  trunk  to  photograph  a 
large  tree  festooned  with  vines  suggesting  the  doleful  tree 
decorations  in  some  of  the  cemeteries  at  home,  only  more  luxu- 
riant. 

"How  artistically  tearful !  How  festive-funereal !"  ex- 
claimed Miss  Winchester,  now  with  them,  having  changed 
places  with  the  Professor  who  had  gone  to  Mrs.  Cultus. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       209 

"That's  where  you're  a  little  off,"  said  the  civil  engineer 
quizzer.  "The  botanists  would  probably  call  it'  'leguminosa' — 
have  some  ?" 

"Thanks,  awfully,"  said  Miss  Winchester  with  English  style 
and  intonation.  "Himalaya  vegetables  may  prove  more  in- 
viting than  that  one  looks,  but  please  don't  risk  your  precious 
neck  to  pick  them  off  the  vines." 

The  English  engineer  said  that  he  did  not  propose  to  die 
before  reaching  the  Sanitarium,  which  remark  seemed  to 
strike  the  Doctor  as  "not  bad,  for  a  colonial  living  in  a  warm 
climate."  So  Adele  settled  the  matter  by  kodaking  the  whole 
party  overshadowed  by  the  artistically-tearful  funereal-festive 
vegetable- vine. 

Near  this  locality  the  track  indulged  in  numerous  twists 
and  turns,  squirming  like  a  huge  snake  encircling  the  moun- 
tain spur.  The  train  slid  out  to  the  verge  of  a  precipice,  and 
then  backed  off,  just  before  the  crash  came. 

"What  a  narrow  escape!"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Cultus,  "I  felt 
as  if  well  shaken,  and  was  about  to  be  taken.  I  hope  to  good- 
ness they  won't  do  it  again" — but  they  did. 

They  were  now  rounding  a  projecting  knoll,  before  passing 
through  a  short  cut;  they  then  crept  under  a  bridge  which, 
curious  to  relate,  they  crossed  over  hardly  a  minute  later. 
These  engineering  gymnastics  were  utterly  preposterous  to 
our  explorers. 

"Has  the  train  lost  its  way  ?"  laughed  Adele.  "Where  are 
we?    What  next?" 

"If  I  don't  fly  off  like  a  bird,"  said  Miss  Winchester,  "I  ex- 
pect to  enter  the  bowels  of  the  earth  and  be  a  gnome;  that 
will  surely  be  my  next  incarnation." 

"I  prefer  the  bird,"  remarked  Adele. 

"Which?  parrot  or  peacock?  India's  choice.  Considering 
altitude  and  climate,  I  think  a  gnome  will  suit  me.  What  will 
you  be,  Paul  ?" 

"Oh,  leave  things  as  they  arc." 


210        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"But  you've  got  to  be  something  if  in  India,"  persisted  Miss 
Winchester. 

"Rats!"  exclaimed  Paul,  "as  lief  as  anything  else — what 
nonsense  you  are  talking !" 

"There's  method  in  this  railway  madness,"  suggested  the 
civil  engineer;  and  he  showed  them  some  rough  sketches  he 
had  hurriedly  made  illustrating  the  series  of  loops  and  zigzags 
the  line  had  followed  between  Tindharia  and  Gumti.  "How 
is  that  for  horseshoe  curves,  mule-shoes,  and  other  adaptations 
to  the  requirements  of  the  road — 'feats  of  engineering'  we 
call  them."    The  Englishman  was  trying  to  be  facetious. 

The  lines  he  had  drawn  were  curious.  Paul  said  they  re- 
minded him  of  the  marks  left  upon  the  surface  of  ice  by  an 
expert-fancy  skater.  Miss  Winchester  said  she  could  use  them 
for  an  embroidery  pattern,  the  art  of  embroidery  being  one 
of  her  favorite  occupations.  The  Doctor  said  they  reminded 
him  of  a  fly  travelling  over  an  orange  to  find  out  what  it  was 
like.  Adele  said  they  reminded  her  of  exactly  what  they  rep- 
resented, only  now  she  had  a  bird's-eye  view  looking  down  on 
the  whole  thing.  "I  understand  it  now,  but  until  I  saw  this 
drawing  I  did  feel  all  twisted  up."  Curious,  indeed,  was  the 
association  of  ideas,  each  traveller  finding  suggested  by  the 
engineer's  drawing  his  own  tastes,  or  the  memory  of  some 
previous  experience. 

Still  higher  up,  say  between  four  and  six  thousand  feet,  the 
Americans  felt  really  quite  at  home  in  the  woods;  no  matter 
what  part  of  the  Middle  or  Northern  States  they  might  have 
come  from  there  were  glimpses  to  remind  them  of  home ;  not 
unlike  the  loftier  parts  of  the  Alleghany  range  as  seen  from 
Blowing  Rock,  or  Cloudland  in  the  Land  of  the  Sky  (North 
and  South  Carolina),  also  glimpses  suggesting  the  magnifi- 
cent distant  scenery  of  Colorado,  and  even  of  the  Northwest 
Rockies;  but  in  every  case  with  much  greater  luxuriance  of 
foliage,  and  a  realizing  sense  that  they  were  only  on  the  foot- 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        211 

hills,  the  first  steps  leading  to  the  Celestial  region,  still  away 
up  and  beyond. 

Adele  searched  in  her  pocket  and  brought  forth  her  little 
Stars-and-Stripes  badge,  and  pinned  it  on  her  left  shoulder. 
It  took  very  little  to  make  Adele  show  her  colors,  and  just 
here  where  the  woods  were  full  of  oaks,  hemlocks,  maples  and 
many  other  trees  which  reminded  her  of  home,  she  concluded 
this  was  the  proper  time  to  bring  out  the  pocket  edition  of  Old 
Glory. 

The  Englishman  wondered  why  she  selected  that  particular 
time  to  do  such  a  thing;  it  seemed  such  a  superfluous  pro- 
ceeding. He  would  have  scorned  the  idea  if  he  had  known 
that  she  associated  oaks  with  America  in  particular.  As  it 
was  he  could  not  suppress  his  curiosity. 

"May  I  ask  why  you  show  your  colors?" 

because  here  I  feel  quite  at  home." 

"Oh,  you  Americans  think  the  States  take  in  all  creation, 
don't  you  ?" 

"Well,  pretty  much;  but  this  is  the  Queen's  Empire — ^we 
admire  the  Queen  immensely,  she's  a  home-body;  and  per- 
sonally I  quite  envy  her." 

"No  doubt  she  would  appreciate  your  appreciation,"  re- 
marked the  Englishman,  again  touching  the  facetious.  "May 
I  ask  why  you  envy  her  ?" 

"We  are  going  into  the  expansion  business  ourselves:  the 
Queen  knows  all  about  it." 

"Once  you  are  in,  you'll  wish  you  were  out." 

"You  made  a  success;  why  shouldn't  we?  Of  course  we'll 
add  some  improvements." 

The  Englishman  laughed  heartily.  "What  do  you  call  suc- 
cess ?" 

"Making  people  feel  at  home,"  said  Adele. 

"And  the  improvements — some  new  'ism  or  religion,  I  sup- 


pose 


9" 


"Every  man  to  his  own  religion,"  said  Adele;  "it's  the 


212        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

same  as  with  one's  own  home.  Religion  ought  to  suit  one's 
nature  as  your  home  suits  your  life." 

"These  people  have  a  great  variety  of  religion,"  remarked 
the  Englishman. 

"There  seems  to  be  no  lack,"  said  Adele,  "but  really  I  don't 
know  yet.  I  can't  say  that  I  have  really  worshiped  with  them, 
according  to  their  ritual  here  in  their  own  homes." 

"Well,  I  wish  you  joy,  but  really  I  don't  understand  fully 
yet  as  to  your  idea  of  home  here.  I  don't  feel  at  home;  we 
all  go  back  to  our  homes — Merry  England." 

"That's  not  what  I  mean,"  said  Adele;  "this  region  is  the 
most  extraordinary  home-country  I  ever  saw,  even  more  so 
than  our  own  mixed-up  country,  and  that's  saying  a  great 
deal." 

"I  don't  understand  yet,"  said  the  Briton. 

*^Why,  it's  this  way,  I  feel  perfectly  at  home  in  these  woods ; 
the  Hindoos  were  just  as  much  at  home  a  few  miles  back ;  the 
place  seems  to  suit  all  sorts  and  conditions  of  different  civil- 
izations, not  one  civilization  only;  and  the  Queen  lets  them 
live  at  home  here  in  peace." 

"They  fight  like  cats  and  dogs,"  said  the  engineer  promptly. 
"We  have  the  devil's  own  time  to  keep  the  home,  as  you  call  it, 
quiet." 

"It  must  be  the  children  that  cut  up  so,"  laughed  Adele. 
"Every  home  is  supposed  to  have  its  nursery — the  world  no 
doubt  has;  people  often  call  Asia  the  cradle  of  the  human 
race.    This  seems  to  me  to  be  like  God's  nursery." 

"And  England's  the  nurse !"  shouted  the  Briton. 

"Yes,  that's  about  it." 

^"Well,  here  comes  another  baby,  fresh  from  the  woods,  to 
be  taken  into  the  nursery.  What  do  you  think  of  this  precious 
babe  ?    I  hand  her  over  to  you." 

What  Adele  saw  for  the  first  time  was  a  large,  stout  Mon- 
golian woman,  broad-visagcd  with  slanting  eyes,  very  dirty 
and  unkempt,  accompanied  by  two  men  of  similar  mien, 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       213 

neither  of  whom  appeared  so  masculine  as  the  precious  babe 
herself.  These  had  wandered  down  from  the  upper  regions — 
the  first  glimpse  to  Adele  of  the  next  race  they  were  to  en- 
counter. 

"Babes  in  the  woods,"  remarked  the  Englishman. 

Adele  concluded  not  to  call  this  one  a  cherub. 


214        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 


XXXIII 

A  GLIMPSE  OF  THE  PRIMITIVE 

THE  miniature  Fly  Express  having  crept  over  the  sum- 
mit now  slid  down  on  the  other  side  for  a  few  miles, 
into  Darjeeling.  The  mountain  resort,  though  upon 
such  high  ground,  was  surrounded  by  still  loftier  elevations ; 
a  veritable  Sanitorium  protected  on  all  sides.  It  contained 
more  buildings  of  a  public  nature  than  the  inquisitive  Cultus 
explorers  had  expected  to  find ;  the  Sanitorium  and  bazaar 
were  surrounded  by  many  substantially  built  structures,  gen- 
erally upon  picturesque  sites,  schools,  a  convent,  villas,  bunga- 
lows, and  here  and  there  native  shanties  in  unexpected 
nooks  and  corners.  There  were  valleys  within  valleys,  and 
hills  upon  hills;  and  domiciles  were  scattered  broadcast  over 
the  landscape.  No  time  was  consumed,  however,  in  gazing 
around  them  when  they  first  arrived.  The  station  and  bazaar 
nearby  were  lively  with  Nepaulese,  Bhootans,  Lepchas,  mem- 
bers of  the  hill  tribes  of  Sikhim,  inhabitants  of  the  Darjeeling 
Terai,  with  a  much  smaller  contingent  of  English  who  seemed 
to  be  there  to  keep  the  rest  in  order. 

The  tiny  train  had  hardly  come  to  a  stand-still  before  a 
Bhootan  woman,  a  fine  specimen  physically  and  decidedly 
noisy  in  manner,  thrust  her  broad  Mongolian  visage,  with  its 
high  cheek  bones  and  slanting  eyes,  into  the  little  car  window 
where  sat  Mrs.  Cultus.  If  a  demon  had  suddenly  appeared 
at  close  quarters  and  offered  to  rub  noses  with  Mrs.  C.  the 
effect  could  not  have  been  more  startling.  The  Mongolian, 
talking  and  gesticulating  and  holding  a  strap  in  her  hand. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       215 

made  it  plain  to  them  that  she  wished  to  carry  their  luggage — 
she  was  a  woman-porter. 

Mrs.  Cultus,  not  ordinarily  disconcerted  by  sudden  appari- 
tions, was  this  time  fairly  taken  aback.  Aside  from  the  nov- 
elty of  a  woman-porter,  her  repulsive  appearance  was  discon- 
certing; the  broad  cheeks  smeared  with  red  pigment  and  dis- 
torted with  grimaces  seemed  to  Mrs.  Cultus  at  first  glance  as 
more  than  grotesque,  even  appalling.  Drawing  herself  up 
with  dignity  she  gave  a  piercing  look,  as  if  in  defiance,  only 
to  discover  that  the  Bhootanesque  wild  grin  was  intended  for 
a  polite  smile,  and  the  smile  was  that  of  a  young  girl  trying 
to  be  serviceable  and  obliging,  Mrs.  Cultus  burst  out  laugh- 
ing, which  the  Bhootan  girl  of  course  mistook  for  a  cordial 
acceptance  of  her  offered  assistance;  and  forthwith  through 
the  window  she  seized  all  such  loose  articles  as  lay  within 
reach,  piling  them  in  a  heap  on  the  platform  previous  to  de- 
positing them  in  her  strap  which  she  placed  over  her  forehead 
and  let  fall  in  a  loop  down  her  back.  Several  articles  had 
already  disappeared  out  of  the  window  before  Mrs.  Cultus 
grasped  the  misunderstanding  of  her  own  laughter ;  but  when 
she  found  the  woman  was  actually  doing  the  heavy  work  of  a 
porter,  and  for  her  personally,  Mrs.  Cultus'  American  ideas 
about  woman's  sphere  and  woman's  work  asserted  themselves. 
As  a  member  of  the  Ethical-Social  Culturist's-Reversal  Asso- 
ciation, she  must  become  an  impromptu  missionary  to  enter 
her  protest,  and  even  set  things  right. 

"I  can't  allow  it !"  she  exclaimed,  shaking  her  head.  "Get 
me  a  man !  a  man !  why,  it's  outrageous  !  You're  only  a  young 
girl !"  and  Mrs.  Cultus  turned  to  look  for  the  Professor  who 
had  already  gone  in  search  of  a  man. 

The  Bhootan  damsel  grinned  once  more,  as  if  astonished, 
then  spoke  her  mind  not  unlike  the  historic  waiter  who 
"roared  it."  "No  man  ! — don't  want  a  man !  I  take  !  I  take 
all !  easy !"  and  proceeded  to  show  how  easily  she  could  take 
all  by  lifting  a  huge  bundle  of  travelling  rugs,  rezais,  nearly 


216        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

as  bulky  as  herself,  putting  them  in  the  loop  of  her  strap  as 
foundation  piece,  the  smaller  heavy  things  on  top,  and  gave 
a  good  grunt  of  satisfaction  when  the  weight  settled  on  her 
forehead ;  and  then — smiled  again. 

Mrs.  Cultus,  equally  practical,  at  once  changed  her  mind; 
she  concluded  it  was  utterly  useless  to  waste  sympathy  upon  a 
damsel  so  eminently  qualified  to  take  care  of  herself;  espe- 
cially since  the  woman-porter  had  her  own  ideas  of  woman's 
sphere,  and  did  not  intend  to  permit  any  man  to  take  away  her 
trade.  If  Miss  Winchester  had  been  near  at  the  time  no  doubt 
she  would  have  been  much  impressed  by  the  Bhootan  grunt 
of  satisfaction  for  the  privilege  of  carrying  luggage;  for  verily 
it  was  a  notable  addition  to  her  collection. 

Such  was  Mrs.  Cultus'  first  interview  with  a  specimen  of 
womankind  from  the  immense  area  of  Central  Asia,  where 
woman's  rights  were  already  granted  after  their  fashion,  and 
woman's  work  performed  with  a  vengeance.  Mrs.  Cultus  lit- 
tle realized  that  there,  in  the  crowd  around  her,  were  not  only 
women-porters,  but  Thibetan  mothers  to  whom  polyandry 
was  no  new  thing,  being  in  fact  a  custom  of  their  district. 
Women  who  had  several  husbands  because  they  were  the  proper 
things  to  have;  and  felt  themselves  quite  equal  to  do  man's 
work  and  a  little  more,  besides.  Mrs.  Cultus  learned  this  and 
other  items,  when  a  few  days  later  she  noticed  a  pair  of 
rough  sandal-boots  standing  at  the  door  of  a  hut  occupied  by 
a  polyandrist  household.  She  was  informed  that  these  were 
equivalent  to  a  notice  left  outside  by  one  of  the  husbands  that 
he  was  on  the  premises,  therefore  for  the  present  the  others 
had  best  keep  away.  Mrs.  Cultus  learned,  too,  that  the  sev- 
eral husbands  were  often  brothers,  hence  the  household  was 
a  more  united  family  than  if  it  were  otherwise.  Mrs.  Cultus 
was  obtaining  a  realizing  sense  of  relationships  among  some 
of  the  primitives  yet  upon  the  earth,  and  she  soon  concluded 
that  the  more  primitive  the  people  the  less  she  personally 
eared  to  visit  them  socially. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        217 


XXXIV 

ADELE  SEES  THE  DELECTABLE  MOUNTAINS 

"On  the  mountains  is  freedom!      The  breath  of  decay 
Never  sullies  the  fresh-flotving  air" 

— SCHILLEB. 

THE  next  day  the  whole  party  were  domiciled  in  a  little 
stone  structure  one-story  high,  hung  like  an  eyrie 
upon  a  cliff.  The  site  overlooked  great  depths,  and 
their  domicile  much  like  a  tiny  doll's  house  perched  upon  a 
mantelpiece.  Above  and  beyond  were  insurmountable 
heights,  and  only  a  narrow  pony-path  separated  this  little 
dwelling  from  the  forest-clad  valleys  thousands  of  feet  below. 
Within  a  few  steps  a  remarkable  view-point,  a  promontory  jut- 
ting out  in  mid-air;  and  before  them  rose  "The  Five  Points 
of  Eternal  Snow." 

Kunchingunga  was  no  "Jungfrau,"  but  a  matron,  with  her 
children  and  grandchildren  clustered  around  her  imperial 
throne. 

Adele  wandered  off  alone,  and  stood  upon  the  promontory, 
looking  forward.  On  a  level  with  her  eye  and  apparently  not 
far  off,  soared  a  giant  bird,  poised  in  space,  he  being  thousands 
of  feet  above  the  earth  beneath  him.  Adele  waved  her  hand- 
kerchief to  attract  his  attention ;  the  majestic  areonaut  merely 
changed  the  angle  of  his  wings  to  bring  his  eye  into  better 
position,  and  refused  to  approach.  A  chilly  current  of  air 
came  over  the  crest  of  the  mountain;  Adele  drew  her  wrap 
about  her,  and  in  so  doing  lost  hold  upon  her  kerchief — it 


218        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

floated  off  on  the  breeze.  It  was  no  sooner  free  from  her 
hand,  than  the  expert  bird  sweeping  round  in  majestic  curves 
upon  the  wings  of  the  wind,  picked  it  up  in  mid-air,  and  soon 
disappeared  amid  the  foliage  of  the  forest.  This  wild  denizen 
of  the  woods,  who  could  sustain  himself  at  a  perilous  height 
in  space,  apparently  had  an  instinctive  fear  of  man,  even  of 
a  young  girl,  yet  no  fear  of  man's  inanimate  production,  the 
handkerchief;  and  his  penetrating  eye  had  evidently  grasped 
the  situation  from  the  distance  of  half  a  mile.  Such  was  the 
clearness  of  the  atmosphere,  and  such  the  acute  vision  of  the 
bird. 

Adele  admired  his  quickness  of  sight,  his  natural  cleverness, 
and  his  wild  knowledge  of  the  world,  as  he  sailed  away  with 
what  she  had  held  in  her  hand  an  instant  before.  "I  don't 
mind  the  loss,"  said  she,  "but  I  do  dislike  extremely  to  have 
things  snatched  away,  first  by  the  wind  and  then  by  that  eagle. 
What  the  Doctor  calls  'the  wild  forces'  in  nature,  surely  do 
require  taming." 

She  looked  across  the  valley.  The  lower  ranges  rose  above 
a  belt  of  haze,  the  mountains  above  did  not  appear  to  rest 
upon  any  solid  base,  and  the  summits  of  eternal  snows  ap- 
peared as  if  in  another  world — a  world  where  corruption  had 
put  on  incorruption,  the  world  of  purity  and  whiteness.  Seen 
through  the  rarefied  air  above,  the  apparent  nearness  of  such 
stupendous  masses,  solid  and  firm  yet  resting  upon  an  ethereal 
base,  somewhat  appalled  Adele ;  and  she  drew  her  wrap  closer 
about  her  as  her  eyes  wandered  from  peak  to  peak  extending 
in  endless  length  on  either  side,  yet  all  above  and  beyond  the 
reach  of  man.  She  knew  them  to  be  the  backbone  of  a  con- 
tinent, which  (when  seen  from  certain  elevations,  at  the  end 
of  the  rainy  season  when  the  southeast  monsoon  ceases  to 
blow)  was  visible  over  an  expanse  of  two  hundred  miles.  She 
knew  this  range  of  peaks  must  be  miles  away  as  the  bird  flies, 
yet  so  wide  was  the  angle  between  the  horizon  and  those 
celestial  summits,  and  so  great  the  difference  between  her  own 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST        219 

level  and  that  of  the  Eternal  Pure  Whiteness,  that  she  felt 
their  presence  near,  and  herself  in  the  presence  of  the  sublime 
in  nature.  Her  natural  eye  told  her  this,  and  gave  her  a  new 
physical  sensation  which  was  exhilarating,  uplifting  and  in- 
spiring. And  with  this  inspiration  came  a  new  incentive  to 
spiritual  perception,  a  tremendous  stimulant  to  idealize.  It 
was,  indeed,  what  she  saw — a  Celestial  Vision. 

She  caught  her  breath  as  she  gazed  afar;  and  a  sense  of 
wonder,  aye,  of  adoration,  welled  up  from  within,  and  a  com- 
prehending love  for  the  beautiful  and  for  the  sublime.  These 
emotions,  like  a  powerful  impulse  heavenward,  filled  her  whole 
being,  and  words  came — breathed  rather  than  spoken — towards 
the  One  who  ever  dwells  in  nature,  ever  listens,  and  always 
hears.  Forgetting  self,  unconscious  that  she  was  actually 
praying,  she  yet  prayed.  Such  is  the  compelling  force  of  the 
sublime  in  nature. 

"Our  Father  who  art ! — art  in  Heaven ! — Father  in  Heaven ! 
where  all  is  beautiful ! 

"And  what  is  this  ?  Oh,  how  beautiful !  just  where  our 
Father  has  built  His  mansions.  Look !  those  snows  and  glaciers 
reflect  His  Glory !  I  can  see  it !  That  blue  canopy  overhead, 
and  those  forests  below,  are  like  the  Earth-Beautiful  He  made 
for  us,  and  there  is  the  roseate  light  of  a  Holy  Place.  God  is 
there !  Yes !  I  know  it — I  feel  it !  He  is  here,  too !  Yes ! 
surely.    He  is  here !    How  holy  is  this  place  \" 

Then  assured  of  the  nearness  of  her  Father  Creator,  she 
tried  to  grasp  some  idea  of  the  meaning  of  His  Presence  to 
her ;  and  unto  her  was  granted  a  glimpse  of  the  very  highest 
possible  conception  of  the  facts  visible  in  nature,  of  things  as 
they  are,  for  the  study  of  both  science  and  religion. 

She  stood  in  the  presence  of  the  loftiest  mountains  upon 
the  globe;  and  what  were  they?  What  was  this  earth  at  her 
feet  ? — the  world  and  all  that  is  therein ! 

"The  Lord  is  in  His  Holy  Temple !  The  Lord !  and  His 
Temple!     Holy!  both  Holy — God  and  His  Temple.     I  can 


220        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

see  that,  too !  He  made  it,  and  all  that  is  therein.  He  said 
it  was  'good, — it  is — it  must  be  Holy !    It  is  His  own." 

The  word  "Temple,"  and  what  it  implied,  impressed  itself 
upon  her  mind,  as  if  it  revealed  some  tremendous  fact  in 
nature  which  before  she  had  not  fully  realized.  She  gazed 
right  and  left,  up  the  cross-valleys,  and  into  the  forest  depths ; 
then  finally  towards  the  Celestial  Summits  bathed  in  that 
roseate  light  which  symbolized  so  much  to  her  personally  since 
her  earlier  experience  when  her  attention  had  been  called  to 
it  by  her  earthly  father.  What  before  she  had  really  seen  but 
dimly,  yet  strong  enough  to  be  a  constant  aid  to  enlighten- 
ment, now  became  a  living  reality.  It  was  verily  a  temple; 
and  anew  she  began  to  idealize  her  surroundings. 

"It  is  a  Cathedral !  this  whole  region !  a  mighty  Cathedral ! 
God's  own,  built  by  Him  here  in  these  mountains,  the  Him- 
alaya Cathedral ! — the  greatest  upon  Earth  !"  And  while  pos- 
sessed by  this  vivid  thought,  there  came  a  still  small  voice,  as 
if  from  a  sub-intelligence,  whispering:  "His  service  is  here. 
His  ritual."  She  heard  this  but  faintly ;  then,  rejoicing  in  her 
idealization,  she  went  straight  on  to  picture  the  Cathedral. 

"Look !  there  is  the  Nave,  this  great  valley !  and  there  is  the 
crypt  beneath,  that  sombre  forest  far  below !  There  is  plenty 
of  room  in  that  Nave  for  the  congregation — free  seats  every- 
where. I  can  see  it  filled  with  all  sorts  of  people.  There ! 
there  is  some  one  now,  in  that  tea-garden  under  those  tree 
ferns,  a  party  of  them  looking  towards  the  blue  sky.  They 
wish  to  know  what  the  weather  is  going  to  be  like,  wish  to 
know  what  God  intends  it  to  be,  for  they  are  looking  upwards ; 
perhaps  that  is  their  way  of  worshiping!  who  knows? 

"And  there  is  the  Transept !  there  is  more  than  one,  those 
valleys ;  they  reach  to  the  end  of  the  earth.  How  curious  that 
so  many  of  these  valleys  lead  directly  up  to  the  front,  not  so 
'crosswise'  as  in  other  churches.  I  never  saw  a  Cathedral  so 
well  arranged  for  approaching  and  hearing.  Ah !  there's  a 
Chapel  in  that  transept!  it  looks  more  like  a  hut!  some  one 


A  TWENTIETH  CEI^TURY  IDEALIST       221 

within  is  burning  incense — it  comes  out  of  the  chimney ! 
Well,  we'll  call  it  incense,  and  that  home  is  a  chapel." 

And  while  she  mused,  a  little  group  of  natives  crossed  an 
open  field  and  entered  a  clump  of  trees  surrounded  by  shrub- 
bery, a  thicket.  "Some  other  sort  of  worship,"  she  thought. 
"I  wonder  what  they  are  going  to  do  ?    I'll  wait  and  see." 

Numerous  parties  on  ponies  passed  along  the  mountain 
roads,  ascending  and  descending  from  different  levels.  "Why, 
this  Cathedral  has  most  extensive  galleries,  and  how  many 
real  workers  all  on  the  move!  Well,  I  rather  like  a  gallery 
at  times;  one  can  sit  up  there  and  not  feel  too  conspicuous, 
only  worship." 

Then  she  noticed  that  the  majority  on  ponies  were  going 
in  one  direction — northward.  "Why  are  they  going  that  way, 
I  wonder? — why  not  towards  the  East  as  so  many  do  in 
Cathedrals  ?  ISTo,  I  forgot ;  the  Moslems  turn  towards  Mecca 
no  matter  in  what  direction  they  may  be  from  it;  but  here 
it  is  different.  These  people  seem  to  be  approaching  and  ob- 
serving their  ritual  in  a  different  manner  and  in  a  different 
direction.  Everything  here  seems  to  draw  one's  attention 
northward,"  and  she  mused  about  this  for  some  time,  then : 

"The  pole  star  itself  is  hidden  behind  that  mountain;  we 
are  too  far  south  to  see  it,  but  I  heard  Father  say  it  was  in 
that  direction.  Yes,  I  remember  it  was  very  low  in  the  heavens 
when  I  last  saw  it  sparkling  there.  It  is  there  now,  always 
behind  the  crest  of  Kunchingunga.  Even  if  these  worshipers 
cannot  see  it,  they  see  Kunchingunga,  their  Holy  Mountain, 
pointing  the  same  way — northward.  Now,  what  does  this 
mean?"  and  she  mused  again,  but  this  time  only  for  an  in- 
stant. 

"Oh!  I  can  see  why!  I  understand  it!"  she  exclaimed. 
"In  other  directions,  stars,  as  well  as  lesser  things  on  earth, 
seem  ever  moving,  revolving,  changing;  Kunchingunga  and 
the  North  Star  seem  never  to  change.  The  North  Star  is 
towards  the  centre,  all  revolve  around  that  fixed  point;  it  is 


222        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

marvellous  what  a  magnificent  Clock  there  is  to  this  Cathedral 
— the  Great  Clock  in  the  Heavens,  the  Clock  of  Ages,  ever 
revolving  around  the  permanent  fixed  centre.  But  then  again 
God  is  the  only  Permanent,  Unchangeable;  and  to  Him  a 
thousand  years  are  as  one  day — the  Clock  says  so.  Why,  of 
course,  in  His  Cathedral  one  must  look  northward ;  it  is  like 
looking  towards  Him,  towards  something  fixed,  that  does  not 
change.  Oh,  I  shall  always  think  of  this  Cathedral  with 
Kunchingunga,  its  Great  Clock,  and  the  hidden  star,"  and  she 
quoted  from  Bryant's  "Hymn  to  the  North  Star": 

"And  thou  dost  see  them  rise. 

Star  of  the  pole !  and  thou  dost  see  them  set. 
Alone  in  thy  cold  skies 

Thou  keepest  thy  old  unmoving  station  yet." 

'Tfes,  I  understand  it;  in  this  Cathedral  the  worshiper 
should  look  towards  the  north,  towards  the  visible  centre  as 
Nature  and  Science  have  made  it  appear  to  us.  To  consult 
that  Clock  one  must  look  straight  ahead,  towards  the  Only 
One  who  is  from  the  ever-existent  past  to  the  everlasting  future 
— the  Ancient  of  Days." 

This  thought  naturally  led  to  her  next  and  final  impression 
on  this  memorable  day  in  her  spiritual  life,  alone  with  the 
sublime  in  nature. 

"Where  is  it?"  she  thought.  "Where  should  I  look  to  find 
it?  the  Holy  of  Holies  in  this  Cathedral,"  and  again  she 
turned  northward. 

"That  Celestial  region ! — it  is  very  near  it,  yet  not  exactly 
of  it.  There !  I  can  see  the  Choir,  and  almost  hear  the  angels 
singing,  but  I  cannot  approach  nearer — not  yet.  Oh !  those 
Celestial  summits ! — the  Delectable  Mountains !  Look !  Oh, 
look !" 

Now  as  a  matter  of  fact  in  Adele's  history,  a  kind  Provi- 
dence did  see  fit  to  respond  to  her  yearnings  to  appreciate 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       223 

this  marvelous  scenery.  As  to  all  who  seek  the  beautiful, 
sublime  and  holy  in  nature  she  saw  what  she  did  see,  and 
through  it  she  perceived  the  invisible ;  through  things  seen  she 
was  in  the  presence  of  the  unseen. 

The  sun's  rays  falling  upon  the  snow-fields  and  glaciers 
on  the  higher  elevations  were  reflected  upwards  and  on  either 
side  with  intense  brilliancy — prismatic  colors  of  exquisite 
delicacy  were  diffused  over  the  whole  landscape ;  these  and  the 
various  hues  and  shades  bathed  the  whole  of  nature  visible 
with  a  glory  that  could  be  seen.  The  human  eye  was  satis- 
fied, the  artistic  sense  enraptured,  and  the  holy  spirit  in  man 
at  rest  in  peace. 

No  "dim  religious  light"  had  this  Cathedral,  but  a  Glory, 
sublime,  sacred;  the  Creator's  own  handiwork,  which  man's 
artistic  efforts  may  often  suggest  but  can  never  equal. 

To  Adele  in  her  frame  of  mind,  it  was  a  veritable  Shekinah. 

"The  Holy  of  Holies!  white  and  glistening!  It  is  too 
bright !  too  bright  for  me !  I  cannot  see — ^the  altar, — too 
bright!"  and  she  covered  her  eyes.  Weak  humanity  cannot 
look  upon  His  Face,  and  live." 

Not  long  after  a  voice  was  heard — a  melodious  voice,  a 
young  and  cultivated  voice,  singing;  one  who  strove  to  make 
her  art  holy — a  means  to  spiritual  ends ;  for  it  is  in  the  spirit 
that  is  the  real  growth.  It  was  Adele — Adele  worshiping  after 
her  own  fashion.  She  had  prayed  in  her  Cathedral,  and  now 
she  lifted  her  voice  in  praise;  the  melody  rose  heavenward  to 
mingle  with  the  music  she  had  heard  spiritually — ^the  Celestial 
Choir.    She  sang  with  her  whole  soul : 

"Angels  ever  bright  and  fair. 
Take,  oh,  take  me " 

None  on  earth  heard  her,  so  far  as  she  knew. 
None,  indeed,  but  a  poor  unfortunate  human  being  clothed 
in  rags  who  sat  at  the  door  of  her  hut  under  the  brow  of  the 


224        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

hill.  Being  out  of  sight,  and  dull  of  hearing,  and  a  Taoist 
priestess  withal,  this  poor  soul,  sincere  and  true  in  her  faith, 
told  her  followers  she  had  heard  the  Good  Spirits  talking  in 
the  air  above  her. 

"In  a  strange  language,"  she  said,  "but  clear  and  sweet.  I 
knew  it  was  the  Good  Spirits — and  I  called:  'Buddha! 
Buddha !  0  Sakya !  take  me  from  existence !  0  Sakya 
Muni !'  " 

He  who  ever  listens,  heard  them  both. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       225 


XXXV 

HIMALAYA  CATHEDRAL  BY  THE  SUPREME  ARCHITECT 

A  DELE'S  idealization  was  correct.  The  inquisitive  ex- 
plorers found  themselves  face  to  face  with  nature  in 
one  of  the  Creator's  own  Temples,  where  the  good 
and  true  and  the  beautiful  were  embodied  in  a  place  made  for 
worship  by  the  Creator.  A  Cathedral  whose  architecture  was 
appropriate  and  soul-stirring  (aesthetic)  even  unto  sublimity; 
and  beyond  man's  capacity  to  appreciate  fully.  A  Cathedral 
whose  vaulting  was  the  heavens  above,  its  floor  the  earth  be- 
neath, and  its  religious  life  as  profound  as  the  depths  under 
the  earth.  And  as  the  sequel  proved,  our  travelers  were  also 
to  find  all  types  of  worship  there,  existing  even  unto  this  day 
in  this  Temple  of  the  Lord;  from  the  early  sacrifice  to  the 
latest  enlightenment — the  Divine  Light  of  the  World. 

"Why  so?  Why  all  this?  Upon  what  ground  scientific, 
philosophical,  moral  and  religious?  Freedom  obtained — Life 
in  the  open — the  open  life — physically,  intellectually,  spirit- 
ually. The  Truth  as  each  man  saw  it  was  able  to  make  him 
free. 

The  sense  of  the  beautiful,  the  artistic  sense,  first  asserted 
itself  in  this  particular  group  of  Nineteenth  Century  inquis- 
itives.  They  were  accustomed  to  temples  made  with  hands  in 
which  art  had  striven  to  express  the  truth ;  here  in  this  scene 
they  found  it  rising  through  all  gradations  of  beauty,  and 
realized  that  in  nature  we  have  the  mother  source  of  truth 
and  beauty  in  architecture.  Of  course,  they  first  noticed  and 
criticised  as  seeing  with  the  eyes  of  their  own  civilization. 


226        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

What  (lid  they  see  ?  Lines  as  studied,  yet  free,  as  in  any  mas- 
terpiece of  Greece  or  basilica  of  early  Christianity,  as  full  of 
aspiration,  arching  heavenward,  as  any  Gothic  work  of  later 
day.  And  not  only  this;  they  soon  recognized  other  forms, 
outlines  marked  in  character  as  a  Hindoo  Temple  or  Burmese 
Pagoda,  peculiar  as  a  Chinese  Tower  or  Japanese  Torii — pure 
and  chaste  as  the  Moslem  Taj  Mahal.  They  were  astounded 
at  the  many  forms,  originally  obtained  direct  from  nature  or 
suggested  by  natural  forms,  which  had  been  subsequently 
conventionalized  by  art.  Evidently  all  sorts  and  conditions 
of  men  had  at  one  time  or  another  sat  at  the  feet  of  the 
Supreme  Architect. 

Then  they  observed  more  critically. 

The  growth  stood  upon  basal  lines,  founded  upon  the  earth 
itself,  plain  areas;  then  massive  foundation  rocks;  terraces 
to  suit  the  location ;  knolls  to  accentuate  the  demands  of  per- 
spective ;  spurs  to  act  as  buttresses  and  bind  together  the  rising 
masses ;  hills  to  invite  one  to  ascend  higher ;  mountains  tower- 
ing towards  the  realm  of  the  unseen.  The  work  suggesting 
solidity,  firmness,  and  all  the  essentials  for  majesty  dom- 
nating  heavenward.  The  elementary  design  simple  in  form, 
simple  in  combination,  simple  even  as  a  Chaldean  or  Egyptian 
monumental  pyramid,  Tomb,  Library  or  Portal;  as  straight 
and  as  true  as  a  Persepolis  House  of  Prayer;  as  flat  and  as 
positive,  and  yet  as  significant  and  as  symbolic  as  any  Parsee 
devotee  of  old,  or  a  Mason  from  the  days  of  Solomon,  would 
have  chosen  to  signify  Basic  Truth  in  Religion  or  Simple 
Life  in  Morality — the  simplicity  of  the  Gospel  of  Architecture. 

A  palpable  fact  began  to  manifest  itself,  namely :  that  man 
never  did  learn  anything  worth  knowing  unless  he  came  to 
nature  to  see  and  perceive,  to  observe  how  the  lilies  of  the  field 
were  arrayed,  and  how  the  mountains  towered  heavenward  to 
Our  Father  who  Art,  to  Him  who  is  Art — the  Way,  the  Truth, 
the  Beautiful ;  and  this  was  not  only  visible  to  the  eye,  but 
the  Cathedral  was  resonant — it  spoke.    There  was  heard  the 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       227 

very  Voice  of  the  Creator  Architect,  the  Mind  of  Nature ;  and 
the  sound  thereof  echoed  to  the  ends  of  the  Earth.  The  great 
instruction  had  been  given,  learned  practically,  and  practiced. 

The  motifs  and  details,  conceived  for  application  in  working 
out  the  design,  had  come  direct  from  the  original  source,  the 
Artist-Mind  of  the  Almighty,  whose  prolific  unlimited  power 
of  artistic  expression  manifested  knowledge  of  all  form  and 
substance;  and  this  was  impressed  upon  the  beholder  and 
heard  by  him,  an  unobtrusive  still  small  voice  whispering 
from  that  Spirit  which  had  conceived  it.  Such  manifestations 
in  nature  were  exquisite  to  both  eye  and  ear ;  one  did  not  feel 
disposed  to  be  loquacious  about  it,  but  only  note  and  apply 
what  had  been  done  by  the  Trinity  of  Usefulness,  Beauty  and 
Adaptability.  The  Voice  had  said,  "Follow  me,"  and  men  had 
tried  to  do  so. 

The  style  chosen  was  that  which  in  time  became  the  Parent 
of  all  styles  subsequently  born — born  through  man's  ob- 
servance of  natural  forms,  his  environment,  his  mental  en- 
dowments, and  his  intellectual  appreciation;  his  virility  to 
produce  artistic  work.  The  Supreme  Architect  had  been  un- 
ceasingly painstaking  and  exact;  in  human  parlance,  He  had 
been  sensitive,  conscientious,  profuse  yet  never  wasteful  of 
His  virile  powers ;  in  fact,  to  the  last  degree  jealous  for  what 
He  knew  to  be  the  truth  in  art.  Being  the  One  who  knows, 
He  knew  how,  and  would  not  otherwise.  He  would  have 
naught  unless  it  were  equally  good,  true  and  beautiful,  the 
three  combined  in  one — a  Trinity  of  Truth,  like  Himself, 
Himself  in  His  Work. 

The  doctrine  of  the  Trinity  pervaded  this  Cathedral,  as  ever 
with  truth  physical,  intellectual,  spiritual. 

To  Professor  Cultus  and  the  Doctor  after  noting  these 
things,  it  seemed  really  to  imply  much  more ;  namely,  as  if 
the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth,  could 
only  be  expressed  in  terms  of  Three  in  One. 

"I  love  to  think  of  it,"  said  Adele,  "it's  so  helpful." 


228        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

Thus  appeared  the  Himalaya  Cathedral  to  these  Nineteenth 
Century  inquisitives.  A  place  of  worship — not  the  Lord's 
barn,  but  his  Temple,  His  Holy  Dwelling  Place,  adequate, 
artistic  and  pure;  worthy  of  humanity  endowed  by  Heaven 
with  the  power  to  worship  in  Spirit  and  in  Truth;  worthy  of 
its  Master  Architect. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST       229 


XXXVI 


PROGRESS  OF  THE  BUILDING 


PROFESSOE  CULTUS  and  the  Doctor  had  many  talks 
concerning  the  progress  of  this  Himalaya  Cathedral 
during  construction,  its  "evolution,"  as  they  ex- 
pressed it;  and  geological  records  were  found  safely  deposited 
for  those  who  know  how  to  read  rocks.  It  appeared  that  the 
design  had  been  originally  conceived  and  sketched  by  the  hand 
of  the  Master,  and  then  worked  out,  or  developed  according  to 
forms  suitable  to  all  climes,  from  the  tropical  in  the  valleys 
below  to  the  arctic  amid  glaciers  and  domes  of  eternal  snow. 
Pupils  of  the  Master  had  embodied  His  ideas ;  His  own  assis- 
tants and  workmen,  the  forces  of  Nature;  born,  brought  up, 
educated  in  His  own  industrial  and  artistic  schools;  where 
His  own  master  mind,  masterful  technique,  and  masterly  spirit 
dominated — the  Trinity  of  Mind,  Matter,  and  Spirit. 

There  had  never  been  a  period  during  the  work  when  the 
real  progress  had  been  arrested,  nor  had  the  original  purpose 
of  design  ever  been  changed  by  alterations,  extras,  or  further 
information  on  the  subject. 

In  the  beginning  He  had  conceived  it ;  the  work  commenced ; 
it  grew;  it  continues.  In  itself  manifesting  a  clear  distinct 
purpose,  namely ;  a  place  in  which  to  live,  learn,  and  worship ; 
thereby  manifesting  the  Trinity  existent  and  operative,  in 
action,  action,  action;  three  as  one.  Within  and  without  its 
needs  and  decorations  have  ever  been  growing  and  progressing, 
as  the  world  grows  older  and  the  worshipers  grow  wiser.    The 


230        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

purpose  pointed  clearly  towards  what  the  intellect  of  man 
designated  as  "perfection;"  and  of  what  the  Holy  Spirit  in 
man  dreamed  of  as  "The  Perfect  Day." 

At  various  periods  in  time  poor  humanity  standing  aside 
like  helpless  children,  had  seen  great  commotions  on  the  prem- 
ises, apparent  catastrophes,  and  seeming  opposition  to  things 
as  they  should  be.  Humanity  had  actually  seen  the  lightning 
"strike"  and  demolish ;  and  there  was  marvelous  unity  in  co- 
operation of  labor  when  the  lightning  did  strike.  Neverthe- 
less the  real  status  of  things  was  not  thereby  changed.  Man 
imagined  that  the  edifice  itself  would  fall,  and  the  world 
come  to  an  end ;  a  mass  of  debris  to  be  blown  away,  much  like 
nebulous  mist  or  a  comet's  tail  is  scattered  and  disappears  in 
space.  Man  had  seen  such  things  with  his  "field-glasses;" 
similarly  man  presumed  to  know.  He  really  knew  just  so 
much  of  the  building  and  its  eternal  purpose  as  the  present 
stage  of  progress  permitted — no  more,  no  less.  Of  many 
things  he  could  be  but  a  spectator ;  and  when  he  manufactured 
his  glasses  for  greater  depths  of  penetration,  he  reduced 
his  scope  (field),  and  less  and  less  grew  the  light  upon  his 
lens. 

Thus  far  there  had  been  no  real  catastrophe ;  it  was  merely 
the  taking  down  of  scafiPoTding  amid  a  cloud  of  dust  and  rub- 
bish. The  scaffolding  removed,  the  Temple  stood  behind  safe 
and  erect ;  its  beauty  more  apparent  than  ever  before.  A  new 
fa(;ade  had  been  brought  to  light  for  the  admiration  of  all  who 
cultivated  their  inborn  capacity  for  appreciation;  both  wor- 
shipers and  non-worshipers  alike. 

It  was  during  the  crises  of  scaffold-demolishing,  when  there 
was  much  talk  of  what  would  happen  when  the  world  dis- 
solved, that  absurd  disputes  had  arisen  among  the  crowd  of 
lookers-on.  Non-worshipers,  in  their  conceit,  offered  criti- 
cisms, although  in  fact  they  knew  only  "the  little"  that  is 
vouchsafed  to  all  mankind.  Theological  fanatics  asserted 
themselves,  saying  with  intensity : 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       231 

"You  have  neglected  your  opportunities,  and  now  it's  too 
late.    You'll  be  condemned." 

To  which  came,  of  course,  the  practical  responsive  applica- 
tion: 

"Be  condemned  ! — yourself !"  Hence  the  sobriquet,  "con- 
demned," popular  in  application  to  this  day  as  a  verb  of  in- 
tensity. 

Such  dogmatic  assertions  and  petty  recriminations  were 
really  absurd  in  this  presence;  disputes  embodying  mere 
words ;  since  naught  is  condemned  in  nature  where  each  day's 
work  is  pronounced  "good,"  and  where  "there  is  no  condemna- 
tion" to  those  who  seek  the  Truth  and  follow  in  it ;  and  where 
the  Divine  Voice  of  a  man  to  his  brother  man  has  pronounced 
the  dictum :  "For  this  cause  came  I,  the  Truth,  into  this 
world,  to  save  it." 

This  Himalaya  Cathedral  stood  in  a  region  where  the  rain- 
fall was  appalling.  It  was  more  sudden  and  more  terrific  than 
occurs  elsewhere.  Torrents,  apparently  devastating,  passed 
that  way,  carrying  all  loose  impedimenta  before  them,  gath- 
ering fresh  strength  by  momentum  as  they  rushed  headlong 
into  the  depths.  Humanity  stood  aghast,  wiseacres  felt  con- 
fident that  nothing  could  withstand  the  force  of  these  down- 
pours. Having  observed  similar  phenomena  on  a  smaller 
scale,  therefore  these  reasoners  concluded  it  must,  must  fore- 
bode the  worst,  annihilation. 

It  was  then  that  the  voice  in  nature,  resonant  through  the 
Cathedral,  actually  laughed  them  to  scorn  for  their  blindness. 

From  the  beginning  nature  had  abhorred  the  idea  of  anni- 
hilation, and  would  never  permit  a  vacuum  where  she  had 
built  so  beautiful  a  Temple.  Truth  destroys  not,  but  fulfils ; 
it  is  not  destructive,  but  constructive.  Annihilation,  a 
vacuum,  is  an  abstract  conception  without  a  concrete  embodi- 
ment even  in  physics ;  and  less  still  where  the  Mind  of  Nature 
and  the  Spirit  that  is  Holy  dominate. 

The  phenomena  of  apparent  devastation  in  this  Cathedral 


232       A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

were  but  changes  or  transmutations  of  the  forces  employed  by 
the  Great  Master  Builder.  A  change  from  lightning  to  rain 
was  simply  a  change  of  workmen,  from  those  of  one  trade  to 
those  of  another,  neither  more  nor  less;  only  the  removal  of 
that  which  had  done  its  work,  and  now  would  interfere  with 
the  progress  of  the  building,  the  Temple,  its  greater  useful- 
ness and  its  greater  beauty.  The  torrents  which  seemed  to 
devastate  were  in  fact  cleansing,  purging,  sweeping  hence- 
forth the  accumulation  within  and  around  which  had  served 
its  purpose,  and  in  that  form  was  no  longer  needed.  Acting 
under  natural  laws,  as  recognized  in  geology,  biology,  natural 
history  and  botany,  the  Divine  Administration  had  cleaned 
and  purified  that  region.  Cleanliness  being  a  feature  of  god- 
liness, even  the  odor  of  the  unkempt,  the  unwashed,  and  the 
unclean,  must  be  scrubbed  out — the  Cathedral  to  remain  holy 
must  be  kept  fresh,  clean  and  pure ;  befitting  those  who  would 
be  pure,  and  thus  able  to  pray  and  to  praise. 

And  again  was  the  Voice  Divine  of  a  man  to  his  brother 
man  heard  resonant  through  the  Cathedral  arches : 

"I  came  not  to  destroy,  but  to  fulfil.  Wash  and  be  clean ! 
Cleanse  your  hearts,  and  not  your  garments  only." 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUKY  IDEALIST       233 


XXXVII 

PRIMATE  OF  THE  CATHEDRAL— EX  CATHEDRA 

IT  was  during  one  of  these  cleansing  periods,  in  years  gone 
by,  when  the  terrific  rain-fall  scoured  out  the  useless 
and  hideous  from  this  Himalaya  Cathedral,  that  a  com- 
pany of  poor  native  Lepchas  stood  upon  the  hill-side  watch- 
ing. Comparatively  safe  in  their  own  position  they  witnessed 
and  heard  the  forces  of  nature  at  work. 

Among  them  was  one  whom  they  accounted  as  a  wise  man, 
a  Seer,  who  saw  more  in  nature  than  most  people  can  see;  a 
prophet  who  had  foresight  founded  on  close  observation  of 
facts.  Some  of  his  neighbors  would  have  designated  him  a 
Lama,  others  would  have  called  him  a  Buddha,  and  some, 
more  distant  still,  would  have  said  a  Medicine  Man.  Yet,  all 
listened  to  his  words  of  wisdom,  repeating  them,  until  they 
became  in  time  the  folk-lore  of  the  land. 

This  Seer,  who  was  so  clear-sighted,  stood  for  much,  both 
historically  and  ecclesiastically;  also  in  Wisdom  Literature. 

He,  and  no  one  else,  was  the  venerable  and  venerated 
Primate  of  this  Cathedral  where  a  thousand  years  are  as  one 
day  and  one  day  as  a  thousand  years.  As  Primate-Leader 
he  received  many  visitations  from  distinguished  ecclesiastics, 
men  with  other  titles;  notably  a  primitive  nature-worshiper 
named  Abel,  whose  parents,  according  to  one  form  of  record, 
were  quasi-divinities  in  the  Garden  of  Eden;  and  another 
named  Tenno,  himself  also,  according  to  another  form 
of   record,   a  semi-divinity,  his   mother   a   Goddess — father 


234        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

of  a  dynasty  ruling  upon  earth  to  this  day,  the  Mikado. 
There   were    also    Holy   Eishis    of   the   Vedic    Period   with 
their   descendants.   Brahmins,   Chief   Yogis;   also   Buddhas, 
Grand  Lamas,  and  Superior  Men ;  Priests  after  the  order  of 
many  things;  Priests  from  Adah,  "the  oldest  city  in  the 
world,"  founded  in  the  misty  years  of  the  fifth  millennium 
B.  C. ;  Priests  of  Bel  at  Nippur,  3800  B.  C. ;  Priests  of  the 
Sun  God  from  Sippar  (Biblical   Sepharain),    3750   B.    C. ; 
Priests  from  Lagash,  the  Sumerian  Priest   (King  Gudea) 
who  reigned  2800  B.  C,  fully  500  years  before  the  days  of 
Abraham;  Priests  from  Assyria,  860  B.  C. ;  Priests  of  the 
North  and  of  the  South,  of  the  Highlands  and  of  the  Low- 
lands, and  of  the  "Unknown,"  after  the  order  of  Melchise- 
dek.    Also  Priests  of  Isis,  from  Egypt;  and  the  Great  Priest 
of  Ormuzd,  Zoroaster,  through  whom  the  brightest  light  as  to 
conscience  over  intellect  enlightened  the  world  for  one  thou- 
sand years — representing  millions  upon  millions  of  worshipers 
born  from  the  womb  of  ancient  time.    Also  Wise  Men  of  the 
East,  Apostles,  Elders,  Deacons,  Metropolitans,  Popes  and 
Archbishops;   Archdeacons,   Priests,  and   Fathers;  Eectors, 
Pastors  Emeritus,  Ministers  of  the  Word  of  God,  Preachers 
of  the  Gospel  of  Salvation ;  and  Evangelists  who  brought  both 
the  Word  and  the  Bread  of  Life;  of  latter  day  experience; 
all  filling  offices  acknowledged  to  be  sacred,  and  some  using 
words  which  sounded  almost  profane. 

While  he,  the  Himalaya  Seer,  was  often  clothed  in  rags, 
and  fed  upon  the  flesh  of  wild  beasts,  and  upon  edible  locusts 
and  excellent  wild  honey,  and  his  loud  ringing  voice  was  as 
one  crying  in  the  wilderness,  the  others  often  officiated  in 
robes  of  state.  While  he  carried  a  staff  in  his  hand,  and  had 
little  change  of  raiment,  they  often  bore  relics  they  consid- 
ered sacred,  rings  through  their  noses,  and  even  iron  bars 
thrust  through  their  cheeks,  and  others  bore  a  gilded  shep- 
herd's crook  so  weighty  in  importance  that  it  proved  an  in- 
cumbrance even  unto  themselves.    While  he,  in  hot  weather. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST        235 

wore  but  a  cloth  about  his  loinS;,  and  a  band  across  his  fore- 
head to  absorb  the  sweat  of  his  brow,  bowing  his  head  in 
reverence  and  fear  when  he  saw  the  manifestations  of  Energy 
in  the  Supreme  Force  in  nature;  another  manifested  the  life 
of  asceticism  and  callousness  to  both  heat  and  cold;  another 
brought  lotus  leaves  and  meditated,  trying  to  think  of  nothing 
at  all — of  absorption  into  nature ;  another  brought  the  Sacred 
Fire  and  preached  the  higher  light  which  did  enlighten  for  a 
millennium  of  years :  "0  Ormuzd,  Fountain  of  Light !  thy 
Light  is  in  all  that  shines ;"  another  brought  his  artistic  image 
and  preached  Justification  by  faith  in  Ameda.  Another 
brought  his  crude  and  immoral  images,  yet  preached  justifica- 
tion by  faith  in  Krishna,  and  the  enfranchisement  of  women ; 
and  another,  a  fearless  man,  a  married  priest  as  God  had 
made  them  so  from  the  beginning,  who  preached  justification 
by  faith  in  Him  who  had  said,  "I  am  the  Light  of  the  World ; 
believest  thou  this  ?  follow  Me." 

And  when  he,  the  Seer,  cried  with  a  loud  voice:  "Eepent! 
I  say  unto  thee,  Eepent!"  the  others  also  preached  as  they 
had  ability;  using  diverse  institutions  and  rituals  according 
to  the  spiritual  needs  of  the  times  and  places.  Thus  it  was 
these  who  embodied  the  diverse  manifestations  of  the  Spirit 
that  is  Holy;  their  experience  in  history  proving  that  in- 
tellectual effort  only  stimulates  the  craving  of  the  soul,  where- 
as religious  consciousness  is  never  satisfied  except  by  spiritual 
growth. 

Thus,  there  were  many,  very  many,  sincere  preachers  who 
appeared  and  labored  conscientiously,  each  after  his  own  be- 
lief, and  officiated  in  this  Cathedral,  Nature's  own  Temple; 
some  proselyting,  others  not — only  trusting  to  natural  growth. 
And  while  all  "took  up  collections,"  yet,  strange  to  say,  one 
only  possessed  the  ancient  veritable  title  of  Seer,  the  one  in 
primitive  costume,  with  primitive  sincerity;  the  Venerable 
Primate  who  lived  in  the  open  "without  money  and  no  scrip," 
and  thus  preserved  his  loud  sonoro.us  voice  in  nature;  he  who 


236        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

lived  very  close  to  his  Creator-God,  the  Creator  and  Father 
of  all. 

What  did  this  Seer  see  ? 

Standing  in  the  presence  of  the  storm,  none  realized  his 
own  helplessness  more  devoutly  than  this  poor  Himalaya  Seer 
himself,  following  in  the  footsteps  of  his  own  primitive  an- 
cestry since  the  beginning  of  man's  appearance  as  a  religious 
animal  upon  earth ;  hence  known,  in  consequence,  as  a  nature- 
worshiper.  Calling  his  group  of  followers  about  him  he  spake 
to  them  as  if  in  a  trance,  as  if  he  saw  what  they  could  not 
see:  the  Evil  Spirits,  or  spirits  for  evil,  flying  hither  and 
thither  over  the  land.  While  in  this  trance-like  condition  of 
religious  rapture,  he  spoke  of  the  wind,  the  rain,  and  the 
lightning  as  antagonistic  personalities.  He  gesticulated,  as  if 
he  saw  them  as  such,  wild  and  irresistible,  in  indiscriminate 
conflict  with  things  as  they  are.  Being  himself  human  he 
could  not  conceive  personality  as  otherwise  than  subject  to 
human  influences;  therefore  he  called  upon  his  fellow-wor- 
shipers to  send  up  some  sweet  odor,  to  propitiate,  to  offer  a 
sacrifice,  to  attract  attention  to  something  good  and  not  evil 
— aye,  to  crowd  out  the  evil  by  the  good. 

The  people  obeyed  him.  Then  and  there  arose  the  good  in- 
fluence, and  lo !  a  marvelous  change  took  place  in  the  heart- 
life  of  each  primitive  worshiper.  The  evil  spirits  in  the 
storm  ceased  their  warfare  and  dispersed — the  tempest  ceased, 
nature  smiled,  each  heart  was  filled  with  peace.  "Peace,  be 
still !  I  say  unto  thee,  peace,  be  still !  My  peace  I  give  unto 
thee." 

When  in  due  course  of  nature  the  heavens  had  again 
cleared,  the  Seer  spake  anew ;  but  not  now  from  a  trance.  He 
had  no  trances  after  it  cleared  off,  and  he  stood  in  the  bright 
sunlight  of  nature.  No !  He  was  as  other  men — no  more,  no 
less — in  all  ages.  What  he  now  saw  was  also  different,  and  the 
tenor  of  his  voice  had  changed. 

He  announced  a  message  to  be  delivered. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       237 

His  followers  fell  upon  their  faces  before  him. 

He  kept  them  waiting;  in  fact,  being  no  longer  in  physical 
fear  himself  he  began  to  lack  his  primitive  simplicity.  The 
sight  of  others  bowing  with  their  faces  to  the  earth  before  him 
was  not  unpleasant.  Weak  human  nature  asserted  itself;  he 
posed,  after  his  fashion.  He  kept  the  people  waiting ;  and  he 
flattered  himself  that  this  was  due  to  his  office  as  Seer,  as  if 
the  office  made  the  man,  and  not  man  the  office. 

The  people  waited ;  they  had  long  since  learned  to  wait,  and 
to  wait  upon  others.  The  Seer  then  raised  his  hands  heaven- 
ward and  spake;  a  message  so  ancient  that  its  form  now 
sounds  archaic,  from  before  Abraham,  from  Job,  from  prim- 
itive man ;  a  poet  of  the  Vedas  of  the  South,  or  a  historian  of 
the  Northern  Sagas,  might  have  said  it  each  after  his  own 
fashion ;  it  is  recorded  in  the  Holy  Bible,  the  truth  from  the 
beginning. 

T^E   MESSAGE   OF  THE   SEER. 

"The  God  of  thy  fathers  hath  sent  me." 

The  people  respected  the  speaker — messenger — apostle — the 
one  sent. 

"I  know  that  my  Bondsman,  my  Redeemer,  liveth." 

The  people  were  glad  there  was  some  one  to  call  upon  in 
time  of  trouble. 

"Thou  shalt  not  be  afraid  of  destruction  when  it  cometh, 
at  destruction  and  famine  thou  shalt  laugh.  The  Almighty 
shall  deliver  thee  in  six  troubles ;  yea !  in  seven  there  shall  no 
evil  touch  thee;  therefore  despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of 
the  Almighty,  Thou  shalt  be  hid  from  the  scourge,  even  the 
scourge  of  the  tongue;  it  shall  not  come  nigh  thee.  I  know 
that  my  Redeemer-Bondsman  liveth !  and  that  he  shall  stand 
at  the  latter  day  upon  the  earth." 

Such  was  the  message,  god-like,  short  and  to  the  point; 
natural,  personal,  spiritual;  the  Trinity  in  Speech. 


238        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

The  first  message  of  Truth  Immortal  signaled  from  the 
Fortress  of  the  Primitive  in  nature;  signaled  from  the  "hills 
whence  cometh  our  Help." 

This  thrilling  message  was  heard  around  the  world,  in  all 
religions  in  some  mysterious  form  or  degree.  A  divine  utter- 
ance, original,  it  has  continued  to  resound  through  all  the 
ages.  It  was  the  beginning  of  Hope,  the  assurance  of  Help, 
from  "Our  Father  who  art" — art  "ever  present." 

The  primitive  populace  wondered  at  the  wisdom  of  their 
Seer;  his  strange  words  which  spoke  of  the  God  of  their 
fathers,  as  if  He  would  help  them  and  would  save  them  from 
destruction.  They  then,  at  first,  thought  little  of  that  his- 
torical significance  of  the  message  which  referred  to  His  com- 
ing to  the  earth  at  a  "latter  day,"  perhaps  after  they  them- 
selves had  departed ;  they  were  interested  only  in  the  present. 
They  wanted  Him  now ;  why  would  He  not  come  at  once  ? 

The  Seer  satisfied  them,  explaining  by  application  of  the 
message  sent  to  them  each  individually.  He  did  it  in  his  own 
way.  The  Seer  had  seen  according  to  his  capacity  then  and 
there ;  he  continued  to  preach  as  he  had  ability. 

"The  Good  Spirit  is  here.  I  heard  Him  above  the  wind  and 
storm.  I  saw  Him  when  He  took  me  to  the  seventh-heaven 
where  I  did  see  more  than  I  do  now.  But  He  is  here ! — the 
thunderings  and  lightnings  were  the  noise  of  His  horn 
(trumpet),  and  the  light  of  His  Countenance — the  dust  you 
saw  was  the  mountain  smoking  under  Him." 

The  people  trembled  with  dread  of  what  their  Seer  had 
seen. 

"I  saw  the  Evil  Spirits  driven  before  Him,  as  the  torrent 
drives  the  wild  beasts  from  the  forest;  and  when  He  made  a 
scourge  of  small  cords  He  drove  them  from  his  Temple  as 
sheep  and  oxen  are  driven.  Some  had  disguised  themselves 
as  those  who  sold  doves — they  fled  at  His  approach.  De- 
ceivers offered  Him  money,  to  tempt — He  overthrew  their 
tables,  tore  their  shams  (hypocrisy)  to  shreds,  and  banished 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST       239 

them  from  His  sight.  And  they  cried:  Peace!  peace!  and 
there  was  no  peace." 

The  populace  thought  of  demons  let  loose,  and  of  a  'Tiell 
upon  earth."  The  Seer  instantly  thrust  home  his  vivid 
thoughts:  "     -  '■     '  ,'*  V 

"You,  yourselves,  saw  how  He  cleared  the  sky  I  You,  your- 
selves, know  how  His  rains  and  storms  cleaned  out  the  dirt  and 
sickness.  You  saw  it !  You  saw  it  yourselves !  You  sent  up 
the  sweet  odor !  You  made  the  sacrifice !  See  how  you  were 
answered,  your  prayers  answered." 

And  a  great  shout  went  up:  "We  did!  We  saw  it!  a 
miracle !  when  the  sun  shone  again." 

And  then  the  Seer  closed  with  a  statement  so  terrible,  that 
none  in  reason,  among  them,  could  doubt  the  truth  depicted : 

"These  are  they — these  evil  ones — who  fell  into  deserted 
graves;  graves  that  men  walk  over  them  and  are  not  aware 
of  them." 

The  hearers  shivered  with  abhorrence — the  direful  thought ! 
deserted  graves !  terrible  consequence  of  disrespect  to  ances- 
tors, frightful  neglect  of  ancestral  veneration,  abhorrent  dis- 
respect to  that  source  from  which  they  had  received  their 
being,  as  the  Great  Good  Spirit  had  granted  them  life. 

Thus  ended  the  Seer's  message,  and  his  own  application  of 
it.  Such  was  the  imagery  he  used,  such  the  emotion  he  en- 
deavored to  portray  and  to  excite.  And  yet,  with  all  his 
flights,  from  the  Divine  Message  to  the  human  application, 
this  Primitive  Primate  of  Nature's  Cathedral  had  been  pro- 
found. He  had  touched  upon  the  three  great  facts  in  things 
as  they  are,  and  reasonably  shall  be : 

"Dependence,  Eight  Living,  Eternal  Security." 

Or,  to  employ  another  category  of  later  date  in  Asia : 

"Thought,  Being,  Joy."     (Hindoo  formula  for  Brahm.) 

Or  another,  philosophic : 

"Science,  Morality,  Eeligion." 

Or  as  Christianity  teaches: 


240        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"Faith,  Hope,  Love." 

And  when  seen  as  "The  Light  of  the  World" : 
"The  Almighty,  the  Saviour,  the  Holy  Spirit  of  Truth, 
Immanuel." 


"The  Soul  of  Man  is  the  candle  of  the  Lord." 
— Phillips  Bbooks. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST        241 


XXXVIII 

INTERMEZZO — THE   VOICE   IN    NATURE 

Cathedral  Orchestra  and  Organ. 
Chorus,  with  Divine  Solos. 

O  Man!     Blessed  is   thine   inquisitiveness — to  learn  and  to  know: 

Cursed  is  thine  inquisition  of  otliers. 
O  Man!     Blessed  is  thy  longing — to  look  upwards  and  beyond: 

Cursed   is    thy    willingness    to    sink  downwards; 

Where  vice  brings  vileness  in  its  train. 
O  Man!     Blessed  is  thine  altruism — to  help  others: 

Cursed  is  thy  selfishness,  to  bury  thy  talent  of  help. 

Blessed  are  they  who  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness — for    they 

shall  be  filled. 
Blessed  are  they  who  seek  the  Truth — for  they  shall  know. 
Blessed  are  they  who  follow  the  Way — for  they  shall  attain. 
Seek  and  ye  shall  find.     Knock! — it  shall  be  opened. 

I  tmve  the  words — 

The  Words  of  Eternal  Life.  " 

Arise!   O  Soul!     I  say  to  thee,  Come  forth! 

The  Truth  hath  made  thee  free. 
Arise!  O  Soul!  and  stretch  thy  wings; 

Thy  better  portion  seek. 
Arise!   and  soar!  -towards  greater  things, 
Enlightenment — and  Peace. 
Peace  and  Rest — Rest  in  Peace. 
I  am  the  Resurrection — and  the  Life. 

THIS  triple  comprehensive  chorus  from  nature,  with  its 
Divine  Solos,  was  heard  by  both  Professor  Cultus 
and  the  Doctor  with  profound  feeling  and  a  deep 
sense  of  responsibility.  They  had  never  heard  an  inner  voice 
(solo)  blending  with  sounds  in  nature  (chorus)  quite  like 
this.  And  a  veritable  intermezzo  in  their  experience,  a  reci- 
tative of  the  wonderful  harmonious  truths  in  nature  accom- 
panying the  pure  melody  of  Christ's  words ;  and  corroborated 
by  others  who  knew  Him,  personally.  All  so  true  when  sung 
in  concert  of  harmony  and  rhythm ;  the  sacred  music  of  this 
sphere. 


242        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

It  seemed  as  if  the  Voices  sang  of  truth  ever  present,  ever 
active,  with  men  at  work  or  a  man  at  rest.  All  who  entered 
the  Door  of  Truth  in  experience  had  the  Words  of  Eternal 
Life  spoken  unto  them ;  and  the  words  implied  action,  greater 
light,  intelligence,  and  peace;  rest  from  trouble,  in  an  im- 
mortal active  existence — a  life  immortal : 

"Activity  for  all  our  powers,  and  power  for  all  our  activ- 
ities."* 


Such  was  the  deep  impression  made  in  the  Himalaya 
Cathedral  upon  the  elder  members  of  the  party.  Being  elderly 
they  saw  things  that  way.  How  about  the  younger  members  ? 
Youth  does  not  see  things  in  nature  as  elders  do;  youth  has 
much  to  learn  yet;  and  old  heads  rarely  grow  on  young 
shoulders. 

Adele  had  insisted  upon  going  to  a  greater  height  up  the 
mountains.  She  longed  to  reach  some  high  summit.  She 
wished  to  lose  nothing  of  the  lofty  that  could  be  reached ;  and 
neither  Paul  nor  the  Doctor  failed  to  second  her  motion. 


•  Phillips  Brooks. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       243 


XXXIX 


ON   A   PINNACLE    IN    NATURE 


FROM  the  time  that  this  region  of  the  Himalayas  first 
impressed  itself  as  a  Cathedral  upon  the  mind  of 
Adele,  an  idealist,  she  invariably  spoke  of  the  various 
natural  beauties  of  the  locality  as  parts  of  the  Grand  Edi- 
fice. 

"This  Cathedral  has  magnificent  proportions.  I  must  ex- 
plore it,  and  go  all  over  it,  from  crypt  to  dome,  visit  the  bap- 
tistry, and,  as  the  Doctor  says,  'mount  upon  a  pinnacle;'" 
then  musingly :  "I  should  like  to  attend  a  service." 

"All  right,"  said  Doctor  Wise,  the  liberal,  "we  can  have 
a  service  of  some  sort,  even  if  we  are  obliged  to  read  prayers 
ourselves." 

"It  would  be  better  to  have  the  natives  officiate — ane  of 
the  local  bishops,"  said  Adele. 

"He  would  not  have  Apostolic  succession,"  said  Paul,  of 
Non-conformist  proclivities. 

"Apostolic,  nevertheless,"  remarked  Professor  Cultus,  who 
habitually  looked  at  things  from  a  literary  point  of  view. 
"He  would  consider  himself  sent  by  some  one — that  makes 
him  apostolic.  He  would  have  been  'called'  to  preach,  or  to 
write,  or  to  do  something,  fundamentally  apostolic,  if  he  is  a 
true  man." 

"I  should  like  to  see  a  primitive  cassock  or  stole,"  said 
Miss  Winchester,  who  was  inclined  to  ritualism,  "and  a  real 
old-time  monk  with  his  beads  and  a  rope  around  his  waist." 


244        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"You  shall,"  said  the  Doctor,  "and  we  will  investigate  to 
see  whether  the  clergy  face  towards  the  East." 

"Not  here,"  said  Adele  promptly;  "they  would  not  if  they 
knew." 

"Why  not?"  exclaimed  Miss  Winchester. 

"Because  they  must  look  up." 

"Oh,  of  course." 

"Northward,  I  mean — up  north." 

"What  has  that  got  to  do  with  it?" 

"It's  towards  the  centre  of  things — the  pole  star  in  the 
heavens." 

"Dear  me !"  said  Miss  Winchester,  "you're  so  'broad',  you'll 
flatten  out,  become  thin.  I  don't  like  my  bread  buttered  too 
thin;  but  tell  me,  Adele,  why  here,  in  this  place?" 

"This  Cathedral  is  so  constructed." 

Miss  Winchester  said  she  had  not  before  observed  it  in  that 
light. 

"Which  way  shall  we  start?"  inquired  Paul. 

"For  a  good  view,  down  the  nave,"  said  Adele.  "Let's  ask 
a  verger  to  show  us  around." 

The  verger  presented  himself  in  the  person  of  a  Bhootan 
peasant  astride  of  a  Manchu  pony,  and  leading  others  saddled 
for  members  of  the  party, 

"I'm  not  accustomed  to  attending  church  on  horseback," 
remarked  Miss  Winchester.    "But  I  rather  like  the  idea." 

"Our  ancestors  did ;  often  two  on  the  same  pony,"  laughed 
Paul.    "That's  why  I  like  it ;  heredity,  I  suppose." 

"It  strikes  me  it  was  a  case  of  go-as-you-please  with  our 
primitive  ancestors,"  said  the  Doctor,  jovial.  "That's  why 
we  all  like  it." 

"If  you  mean  liberty  in  worship,"  whispered  Adele,  "that's 
why  it  suits  me." 

"That's  about  it,"  thought  the  Doctor. 

This  was  as  they  ascended  Mt.  Senshal  towards  Tiger  Head. 
The  valley  below  was  filled  with  cloud-billows  which  the  cool 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        245 

morning  air  still  kept  intact,  the  atmosphere  above  more  clear 
and  transparent.  As  they  and  the  sun  rose  higher  and  higher 
the  cloud-billows  became  vapor,  and  the  mist  twirled  amid  the 
foliage  of  the  forest,  or  was  dissolved  and  disappeared  in  the 
general  atmosphere. 

The  Bhootan  verger  took  them  to  a  lofty  crest  from  which 
they  could  look  down  the  vista  of  the  valley,  and  before  them 
the  nave  of  the  Cathedral.  Verdant  hills  lifted  their  heads 
on  either  side,  making  a  sky-line  as  lofty  as  many  in  the  Alps ; 
yet  here  they  were  merely  spurs  of  the  mighty  range  beyond. 

A  pause.  Adele  stood  gazing  through  the  Nave ;  and  there 
was  the  congregation,  a  world-full,  at  her  feet. 

Some  one  suggested  to  Paul  that  he  ask  her  to  sing.  The 
request  seemed  injudicious  just  then  and  there,  but  some 
people  have  no  sixth  sense.  Paul  drew  up  his  pony  near  hers 
while  she  was  still  absorbed  in  the  prospect.  It  certainly  was 
inopportune,  but  he  ventured : 

"If  my  voice  would  carry,  I  should  try  to  sing.  How  do 
you  feel  about  it,  Adele  ?" 

She  shook  her  head. 

"No  ?  you  don't  feel  like  singing !    That's  not  like  you !" 

"I  like  it  too  much,  that's  why.'* 

"Oh,  is  that  it?" 

"Not  here — I  could  not." 

"Where?" 

"Perhaps — perhaps  in  the  choir,  when  they  have  service." 

Evidently  she  had  her  own  ideas  about  sentiments  appro- 
priate in  this  Cathedral.  There  was  a  place  and  time  for  all 
things.  This  was  not  the  time  nor  place  to  make  herself 
prominent,  not  even  with  the  divine  art;  rather  the  time  for 
meditation  upon  the  infinite  grandeur  of  the  scene. 

And  the  verger  took  them  to  other  points  of  view,  even  as 
far  as  Tongloo  (altitude  10,000  feet),  and  Sunkukphoo  (alti- 
tude 12,000  feet),  consuming  several  days  for  these  journeys. 
Over  hill  and  dale  they  went,  from   the    Forest   Bungalow 


246        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEx\LIST 

mounting  to  Goom  Rock;  passing  by  the  pools  (porkri)  on  to 
the  Manay  Bhunjun  (temple) ;  up  zigzags  to  a  way-station  hut. 
They  passed  through  bamboo  groves,  and  were  off  and  on  their 
ponies  as  the  route  became  too  steep  for  riding.  The  view  at 
Tongloo  was  comprehensive  and  superb.  Then  they  continued 
on  by  descending,  before  surmounting  another  range;  past 
waterfalls,  towards  the  base  of  Pionothumna  Hills  (S.  E.)  ; 
to  rise  again  rapidly  by  endless  zigzags,  seventeen  at  one  time 
alone,  towards  the  Kala  Porkri,  a  loftier  point  than  they  had 
yet  reached;  then  more  zigzags,  much  puffing  and  blowing, 
through  pines ;  then  across  the  country,  the  open  upon  a  high 
level ;  and  finally  up  and  up,  terrific  pull,  higher  and  higher, 
by  what  Adele  called  the  Himalaya  Ladder,  as  extended  as 
Jacob's,  twenty-five  zigzags  in  succession,  a  steep  climb  and 
hard  work,  requiring  an  extra  pair  of  wings,  and  double- 
bellows  lungs — to  the  summit  at  Sunkukphoo. 

"Out  on  the  roof  I"  exclaimed  Miss  Winchester. 

"Among  the  flying  buttresses,"  thought  the  Professor. 

"On  a  pinnacle  of  the  Temple !"  exclaimed  the  Doctor. 

"All  the  world  beneath  us,"  said  Paul  in  admiration. 

"All  but  those  Delectable  Mountains,"  thought  Adele, 
glancing  at  once  towards  the  snowy  peaks  which  still  towered 
above  them  at  an  elevation  of  some  twenty-nine  thousand  feet. 

They  stood  in  the  presence  of  mountains  five  and  a  half 
miles  high,  with  comparatively  little  intervening;  in  the 
presence  of  some  of  the  highest  summits  upon  the  globe,  and 
themselves  literally  on  a  pinnacle.* 

The  sublimity  of  the  Himalayas,  now  enhanced  by  greater 
proximity  of  the  beholder,  presented  a  more  pictorial  effect 
than  heretofore :  the  grouping  of  the  Trio  of  Mountains  a 
composition  from  the  Artistic  Mind  of  Nature ;  an  inspiration 
full  of  aspiration,  for  the  earth  itself  seemed  inspired  by  a 
desire  to  ascend.     Such  was  the  first  impression. 

Attention  was  at  once  focused   upon   the   Three    Eternal 

*  See  frontispiece.     A  view  from  near  Sundookphoo. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       247 

Peaks,  rather  than  the  extended  Snowy  Eange  which  on  either 
side  disappeared  in  the  dim  distance;  and  the  forms  and  ar- 
rangement of  the  landscape  seemed  almost  ideal.  Imagina- 
tion might  have  conjured  up  such  a  tableau,  but  its  realization 
and  potency  in  spiritual  influences  would  hardly  have  been 
expected  as  reasonable — the  constant  ascension  of  jagged 
glacial  ever-pointing  summits  (material  substance)  towards 
the  Celestial  unseen  realm  of  azure  blue.  Yet,  there  it  was — 
an  actuality — fixing  itself  in  the  mind's  eye  and  on  the 
physical  retina,  to  be  remembered  ever  afterwards. 

In  the  centre  rose  the  Majesty  of  the  Mountains,  the  Ma- 
jestic Father  Peak,  clad  in  Nature's  robes  of  State  Existence ; 
simple  in  outline,  exquisite  in  texture,  the  dignified  sweep  of 
lines  and  folds,  draperies  and  half-hidden  illusive  forms  seem- 
ingly mysterious  which  characterized  the  vestments  of 
Nature's  Eoyal  Presence — robes  of  state  flowing  from  the 
heavens  above  to  the  earth  beneath. 

Through  the  crystal  atmosphere  one  could  distinguish 
Celestial  Valleys,  and  ravines  set  amid  rugged  crags  and 
mountain  "needles"  of  stone  attenuated  to  an  extent  greater 
than  any  Cathedral  spire  ever  constructed  by  man :  and  in  and 
about  the  deeper  recesses  were  local  mists  and  hazy  atmos- 
phere, as  if  to  hinder  or  prevent  too  inquisitive  curiosity  as  to 
the  hidden  depths  within.  Curious  and  admirable  indeed  was 
this  seemingly  mysterious  element  in  Nature;  yet,  verily  not 
so,  not  mysterious,  but  only  secrets  yet  to  be  explored  and 
divulged  by  scientific  research. 

Although  the  tourists  had  thus  ascended  heavenward  some- 
what differently  from  Jacob's  angels  with  wings,  rather  upon 
winged  ponies  following  the  legendary  hero  upon  his  white 
horse;  yet  when  they  arrived,  the  after-effects  were  quite  ac- 
cording to  ordinary  experience. 

Miss  Winchester  was  the  first  to  illustrate  her  human  nature 
under  such  conditions.  The  altitude  affected  her  peculiarly, 
not  as  it  did  the  others. 


248        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"No  wonder,"  said  slie,  "that  some  people  are  tempted  to 
jump  off  when  they  find  themselves  on  high  places ! — the  ex- 
hilaration is  intense.  There  is  a  fascination  in  the  depth,  it 
draws  one ;  it  makes  me  feel  as  if  I  could  sail  off  in  space,  like 
the  birds." 

"Be  careful,"  thought  the  Doctor,  moving  near  her  to  steady 
her  nerves,  if  necessary. 

"It  is  as  if  I  should  spread  my  arms — and  leap!"  cried 
she,  "I  could  sail  on  the  air  like  the  eagle;  there  is  no 
thought  of  danger." 

"No  danger !  no  danger !"  instantly  shouted  the  Bhootan 
pony  driver,  noticing  her  actions  which  spoke  quite  as  loud 
as  her  words,  "No  danger !  my  horses  are  sure-footed.  No 
danger  with  me !  The  Good  Spirits  take  care  of  all  I  bring, 
and  will  not  let  them  dash  their  foot  against  the  stones ;"  and 
he  continued  to  praise  his  sure-footed  ponies  as  able  to  carry 
anyone  with  safety.  Miss  Winchester  concluded  to  dismount, 
nevertheless,  and  the  Doctor  assisted  her. 

Adele  began  to  feel  nervous;  the  atmosphere  being  rare- 
fied, and  she  more  sensitive  than  the  others,  it  told  upon  her 
physically,  and  at  the  same  time  affected  her  spiritually.  She 
was  glad  that  Paul  kept  his  pony  next  hers, 

"What  is  it  ?  are  you  tired  ?"  asked  Paul,  noting  her  pallor. 

"No !  it's  so  really  high ;  we're  so  high  I  don't  feel  easy — 
it's  not  natural ;  it  takes  my  breath  away." 

"Oh,  then  you  feel  the  effect  of  the  thin  air ;  open  your 
mouth  wide  and  get  the  air  on  both  sides  of  your  ear-drums. 
The  pressure  will  then  be  even;  you'll  feel  better."  Adele 
did  so  and  felt  more  at  ease. 

"How  resourceful  you  are,  Paul — so  practical;  that  pres- 
sure was  becoming  too  much  for  me — I  felt  faint,"  Then 
after  looking  around  for  some  time  and  observing  other 
things,  she  remarked  with  considerable  energy,  yet  serious : 

"These  pinnacle  views  are  too  much !" 

"What  is  it  now  ?"  asked  Paul. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        249 

"Why — look  before  you — those  are  mountains  beneath  us, 
yet  they  look  flat." 

"Yes,  they  do." 

"They  are  neither  picturesque  nor  artistic,  when  you  look 
down  upon  them." 

"Then  don't  look  at  them,  my  dear !    Look  at  me." 

Adele  smiled,  but  continued  in  her  mood. 

"Paul !  from  above,  those  mountains  are  not  true  to  nature, 
they  are  not  mountains  at  all." 

"From  your  point  of  view,  no." 

"From  here,  the  world  is  all  out  of  drawing,  it  does  not 
give  you  a  true  idea  of  itself." 

"It  certainly  doesn't  look  very  round,"  remarked  Paul ;  "it's 
rather  concave,  with  the  horizon  as  high  up  as  we  are." 

"No,  the  idea  is  not  true,"  continued  Adele;  "seen  from 
here,  one  might  think  our  journey  had  been  over  a  flat  coun- 
try— easy  to  walk  over — but  you  know  it  wasn't." 

Paul  laughed.  "No,  it  wasn't,  my  saddle  tells  me  so — it 
was  a  hard  road  to  travel.  But  the  view!  that's  all  right; 
Adele,  it  is  the  grandest  we  have  seen.  I  never  expect  to  see 
anything  finer." 

"It's  too  grand  for  me — it  overwhelms." 

"How,  Adele?" 

"I'm  deceived,  in  so  many  ways;  deceived  as  to  distance 
and  heights,  and  I  can't  tell  what  I'm  looking  at.  There  now 
— over  there,  is  a  large  bare  place,  I  suppose,  but  it  looks  like 
a  small  field ;  and  just  the  reverse,  there  is  a  clump  of  foliage, 
it  may  be  a  jungle  with  tigers,  although  from  here  it  looks  so 
harmless." 

"Oh,  but  you  must  use  your  common  sense  and  gumption, 
and  not  be  misled  by  experiences." 

"Indeed !    Well,  what  do  you  call  that?" 

"Where?" 

"That  thing  over  there — what  is  it?"  pointing  with  her 
whip. 


250        A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST 

Paul  looked.  Far  away  an  irregular  cloud-like  some- 
thing stood  out  clearly  as  if  raised  above  the  surface  of  the 
earth;  it  gleamed  or  glistened  faintly  in  the  distance,  but 
being  irregular  in  form,  light  in  color,  and  doubtless  lifted 
up  because  it  appeared  so,  Paul  pronounced  it  to  be  a  cloud 
drifting  between  the  lower  hills. 

"No,  Mr.  Common  Sense  with  gumption,  it  is  a  lake — the 
pony  man  just  told  me  so;  the  reflection  makes  it  stand  up 
above  the  forest.  I  don't  think  much  of  common  sense  that 
mistakes  a  mud-puddle  for  a  cloud,  do  you?" 

"Then  we  won't  photograph  it,  for  cloud  effects,"  said  Paul, 
feeling  less  sure  of  himself. 

"Paul,  these  high  places  give  a  sort  of  false  perspective. 
I  don't  know  how  to  describe  it,  but  it  takes  too  much  com- 
mon sense  to  get  correct  impressions.  I  don't  like  to  be  de- 
ceived, especially  about  things  so  intensely  interesting;  or 
when  I'm  doing  my  best  to  see,  and  I  don't  see  the  real  thing 
in  return." 

"Well,  keep  your  head  level;  if  I  had  been  on  the  lower 
level  I  wouldn't  have  been  mistaken  about  that  lake." 

"That's  just  it,"  said  Adele.  "No  ifs  are  allowed  on  pin- 
nacles," and  on  the  instant  her  pony  gave  a  lurch  which 
threatened  to  unseat  her.  She  pulled  him  up  sharply,  and  in 
so  doing  was  thrown  forward,  into  a  most  uncomfortable  posi- 
tion, on  the  pommel  of  her  saddle.  Bracing  up  she  tugged  at 
the  reins,  drawing  them  tighter  than  was  necessary,  which 
only  made  the  animal  more  restive.  Paul  patted  the  beast  on 
the  neck,  and  held  him  until  the  guide  approached. 

The  Bhootanese  came  up,  swearing  outrageously  in  his 
native  lingo;  declaring  that  the  very  devil  was  in  the  beast. 
He  had  bragged  about  his  sure-footed  ponies,  but  had  not 
mentioned  that  they,  too,  when  in  unaccustomed  places  and 
particularly  on  elevations  where  the  air  was  thin,  were  apt 
to  become  restless,  and  were  then  given  to  shyings  and  back- 
ings and  misbehaviors  quite  foreign  to  them  when  on  a  lower 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       251 

level.  The  pony  was  anxious  to  get  down  and  return  home; 
the  beast  knew  what  was  best  for  him.  His  Bhootanese  mas- 
ter, enraged  at  the  animal  for  behaving  so,  swore  until  the 
air  was  full  of  Himalaya  imps,  Bhootanese  blue-devils,  Ne- 
paulese  demons,  and  a  varied  assortment  of  ejaculatory 
grunts,  both  human  and  equine,  all  summoned  for  the  occa- 
sion. Even  in  Occidental  parlance  it  might  be  said  that  the 
Devil  and  his  imps  had  been  summoned  to  meet  there  on  the 
pinnacle. 

Fortunately  this  assortment  of  demon-devils  were  of  native 
production;  therefore  not  recognizable  by  the  rest  of  the 
party ;  although  not  unknown  to  the  ponies,  who  soon  quieted 
down. 

Miss  Winchester,  completely  surrounded  by  the  ejacula- 
tions, of  course  secured  a  choice  assortment  for  literary  pur- 
poses; she  and  the  demons  seemed  to  have  it  all  their  own 
way  for  the  time  being. 

Adele  was  so  preoccupied  with  keeping  her  seat  in  the  sad- 
dle that  she  was  conscious  of  neither  imps  nor  sounds  •  but 
after  peace  was  restored  she  turned  to  Paul : 

"That  man  swore,  didn't  he  ?" 

"Yes,  like  a  trooper." 

*^ell,  tell  him  the  Bad  Spirit  will  catch  him  if  he  does 
that  sort  of  thing." 

"Then,  perhaps,  he'll  set  the  Old  Boy  on  us." 

"I  would  like  to  see  what  the  Bhootanese  Old  Boy  is  like, 
if  he  doesn't  scare  my  pony." 

"What  would  you  do  if  you'd  see  him  ?" 

"Tell  him  to  keep  his  eye  on  his  servant  here — this  mule ! 
But  we'll  have  no  more  trouble  now,  this  pony  only  needs 
watching." 

"You  held  on  first-rate." 

"Yes,  but  I  didn't  come  up  here  to  watch  a  mule ;  I  came 
for  something  better." 


252        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"Let  me  rub  his  nose,"  said  Paul,  leaning  over,  making 
friends  with  the  pony. 

Adele,  who  was  indeed  rather  shaken  up  and  agitated  by 
the  incident,  continued  to  feel  nervous.    She  finally  spoke : 

"Would  you  like  to  know,  Paul,  how  this  really  makes  me 
feel — this  being  so  high  up  in  the  world  ?" 

"Yes ;  I'd  like  to  know  how  being  elevated  above  the  level  of 
ordinary  experience  affects  you." 

"Well !  sitting  on  a  pinnacle,  as  the  Doctor  caUs  it,  is  a 
fraud." 

"You  really  think  so !" 

"Yes,  it  is  deluding ;  it  demands  more  than  I  can  manage ; 
it  takes  entirely  too  much  time  trying  to  hold  on." 

"What  do  you  propose  to  do  about  it?" 

*^hy,  get  down — to  our  own  level — soon  as  possible." 

There  had  come  into  their  experience  one  phase  of  the  great 
Asiatic  lesson  to  humanity,  namely;  to  be  content  in  the 
position,  humble  or  exalted,  to  which  they  had  been  born.  The 
things  seen  had  actually  embodied  things  unseen. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       253 


XL 


A  GLIMPSE   OF  TAOISM 


AFTER  the  exhilarating  ascent  and  sudden  descent 
from  Sunkukphoo,  Adele  expressed  a  desire  to  see 
the  valleys.  "We've  been  on  the  roof  garden,  amid 
the  flying  buttresses;  let  us  visit  the  cloisters^  and  see  the 
crypt." 

The  Bhootan  verger  led  the  way  along  the  pony-path  in 
front  of  their  Peek-o'-Tip-Bungalow,  to  the  left — the  descent 
was  rapid.  The  mountains  closed  in  upon  them.  Rhododen- 
drons as  lofty  as  oaks  shaded  them  from  the  outer  world.  A 
strikingly  beautiful  region  of  another  type,  where  blossoms 
fringed  the  trees  against  the  azure  blue;  and  what  was  still 
more  beautiful,  there  were  bouquets  of  scarlet  appearing 
against  the  snow-fields  and  glaciers. 

"What  striking  contrasts !"  exclaimed  Paul,  "yet  the  effect 
is  not  overdone;  it's  quite  natural." 

"Nothing  seems  overdone  in  this  Cathedral,"  said  Adele, 
not  dreaming  what  she  was  about  to  encounter.  Miss  Win- 
chester helped  her  out.  "I  must  make  a  sketch  of  these  won- 
derful contrasts ;  it  will  suggest  a  superb  color-scheme  for  an 
embroidered  altar  cloth.  I  wish  I  knew  one  of  the  monks  or 
ecclesiastics  in  charge  here;  we  could  ask  him  to  show  us  the 
vestments  in  the  Sacristy." 

Miss  Winchester's  wish  for  a  monk  was  soon  gratified.  A 
turn  in  the  road  brought  them  face  to  face  with  a  Taoist 
Temple ;  a  row  of  so-called  young  monks  sat  upon  the  ground 
before  the  door.     The  Lamas  wore  masks,  as  well  as  parti- 


254        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

colored  garments,  and  they  carried  long,  slender  bell  trumpets, 
which  they  kindly  tooted  to  the  accompaniment  of  cracked 
drums.  The  colors  of  their  vestments  and  costume  in  general 
were  aesthetic  as  a  patchwork  quilt  from  the  revolutionary 
period  of  Sally  Ross — only  far  more  ancient. 

Mrs.  Cultus  and  Miss  Winchester,  both  Colonial  Dames, 
were  at  once  sentimentally  affected  by  the  color  schemes  and 
the  designs  of  these  very  old  historical  vestments.  It  was  im- 
possible to  be  "moved"  by  their  artistic  excellence,  so  their 
historical  value  became  at  once  more  important  to  notice.  As 
to  the  masks,  they  were  supposed  to  represent  demons,  being  in 
design  diabolical,  no  doubt  very  true  to  the  life;  and  the 
trumpets  shrill. 

Adele  and  the  Doctor  had  little  appreciation  for  the  crude 
colors,  or  the  terrific  din.  The  latter,  finding  himself  an  un- 
willing listener  to  a  "Rhapsodic  Lamanesque"  on  drums, 
searched  for  something  to  stuff  in  his  ears  to  soften  the  sound ; 
he  would  have  been  willing  to  put  his  fist  in  the  bell  of  the 
leading  trumpet,  but  such  things  were  inopportune.  The 
effect  was  startling  in  the  extreme;  so  very  abrupt  after  the 
exquisite  tone-color  contrasts  they  had  just  been  admiring. 
In  fact,  even  their  Manchu  ponies  halted,  and  wagged  their 
ears  to  shake  off  the  sound.  Adele's  animal  turned  one  ear 
backward  and  the  other  forward  in  astonishment. 

Adele  gave  a  new  twist  to  the  old  line :  "Where  every  pros- 
pect pleases  and  only  the  music  is  vile." 

Miss  Winchester's  churchly  expectations  received  a  severe 
shock,  for  in  this  Cathedral  monks  were  grotesque;  but  still 
they  were  monks,  although  the  ideal  peaceful  life  of  a  monk 
did  not  appear. 

Curiosity  got  the  better  of  Paul;  he  was  off  his  pony  and 
confabbing  with  the  Lamas  before  the  others  had  recovered 
from  their  amazement.  A  Lama  took  off  his  mask  to  allow 
his  own  voice  to  be  heard  more  distinctly.  He  was  a  young 
fellow  and  rather  good-looking,  although  shaven  with  a  ton- 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       255 

sure ;  and  quite  as  healthy  in  appearance  as  many  a  monk  who 
advocated  asceticism.  In  fact,  he  seemed  to  be  enjoying  the 
racket  and  also  the  masquerade.  They  were  all  of  them,  the 
Lamas,  not  unlike  a  party  of  children  playing  at  "theatre"  in 
a  nursery. 

"Come,'*  said  Paul,  "we  are  invited  to  enter — it  is  one  of 
your  chapels,  Adele." 

The  Taoist  Temple  was  an  unpretentious,  one-storied 
structure,  of  small  dimensions,  with  projecting  eaves.  To 
the  heathen  inquisitives  who  accepted  this  invitation,  it  proved 
to  be  a  curio  shop  without  and  within.  Under  the  eaves  were 
set  vertically,  into  the  front  and  side  walls,  cylinders  about 
two  feet  high  and  a  foot  in  diameter  each,  a  double  row,  each 
cylinder  held  in  position  by  a  vertical  spindle  through  the 
middle.  The  double  rows  extended  around  these  three  sides 
of  the  building. 

The  Chief  Lama  entered  by  the  central  door,  the  foreign 
heathen  following  him.  Passing  around  the  interior,  he  gave 
each  cylinder  a  smart  spank  with  the  flat  of  his  hand,  causing 
it  to  revolve  rapidly  on  its  vertical  spindle.  In  a  moment  all 
were  in  motion,  and  the  whole  house  buzzing.  The  cylinders 
were  reeling  off  prayers  by  machinery  at  a  rapid  rate ;  and  the 
Lama,  holding  his  simple  rosary  made  of  beans,  stood  ready 
to  accelerate  any  particular  cylinder  which  lagged  behind. 

There  could  be  no  doubt  as  to  the  exact  intention,  the  sin- 
cerity and  consequent  efficacy  of  such  prayers,  simply  because 
the  proper  wording  for  a  prayer  was  printed  upon  a  slip  of 
paper  carefully  wrapped  around  the  spindle  inside  the  cylin- 
der. Even  if  one's  thoughts  did  wander,  the  printed  matter 
did  not — the  machine  did  the  rest.  All  the  worshipers  had  to 
do  was  to  obey  orders  to  attend  service,  and  whirl  the  ma- 
chine ;  the  Lamas  would  take  care  of  these  wheels  both  inside 
and  out,  and  would  also  give  any  stranger  within  their  gates 
a  little  wheel  for  hand  use,  to  take  home  with  him,  if  he  chose 
to  pay  for  it. 


256        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

Mrs.  Cultus,  who  was  still  far  from  strong,  no  sooner  en- 
tered the  Temple  than  she  found  herself  surrounded  by  buzz- 
ing wheels  on  three  sides  of  the  room;  the  fourth  side  occu- 
pied by  what  she  called  a  "cabinet  of  curios."  So  many  rotary 
prayers,  whirling  simultaneously,  were  very  confusing,  espe- 
cially as  some  of  the  wheels  prayed  in  one  direction  and  some 
others  in  just  the  opposite.  Mrs.  Cultus  soon  grasped  the 
situation,  however. 

"I  must  have  one.  They  are  the  most  convenient  things 
I  ever  saw.  I  did  not  know  these  Taoists  had  such  Yankee 
notions  in  this  line." 

An  innocent  (sic)  Lama  promptly  offered  to  sell  her  a 
small  wheel,  which,  upon  her  return,  she  discovered  had  been 
especially  adapted  to  heathen  requirements.  The  thoughtful 
Lama  had  removed  some  of  his  own  prayers  and  had  substi- 
tuted items  for  which  he  knew  the  Christians  were  constantly 
praying.  He  had  inserted  slips  cut  from  advertisements  in 
the  bazaar. 

"Wanted,  to  rent — a  bungalow !  Wanted,  bachelor's  quar- 
ters with  good  drainage !  Wanted,  a  good  ayah  (nurse)  ;" 
and  he  had  also  kindly  left  those  petitions  which  all  humanity 
should  offer,  of  course : 

"Wanted,  a  baby ;  boy  preferred.    Girls  need  not  apply." 

It  was  lucky  that  Mrs.  Cultus  did  not  discover  the  tenor 
of  these  new  prayers  until  later,  or  she  might  have  felt  con- 
strained to  preach  a  heathen  sermon  herself  to  the  innocent 
Lamas  in  that  chapel.  At  this  time,  however,  she  held  the 
wheel  in  her  hand,  twirling  it,  innocently  praying  (according 
to  Ihe  service  interpretation)  for  what  would  have  surprised 
her  greatly  had  her  prayers  been  answered. 

The  Lama  felt  well  pleased.  The  heathens  were  doing  as 
they  were  told.    In  time  thoy  would  make  good  Taoists. 

Miss  Winchester  also  took  much  interest  in  this  service,  but 
with  a  tinge  of  the  missionary  spirit  which  had  escaped  Mrs. 
Cultus. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       257 

"It  is  curious,  isn't  it?"  said  she.  "I  feel  like  spinning 
round  and  round,  myself — not  alone,  like  those  dancing 
dervishes  we  saw  at  Cairo ;  I  want  a  partner.  But  I  can't  de- 
cide which  wheel  to  choose — curious,  isn't  it  ?" 

"I  would  not  have  believed  it,"  said  Adele,  "if  I  had  not 
seen  it.  It  affects  my  eyes  in  exactly  the  same  way  that  my 
ears  are  affected  when  a  congregation  repeat  the  same  words 
over  and  over  again  without  thinking  what  they  are  saying." 

"It  is  very  monotonous,"  said  Paul.  "I  suppose  the  Lamas 
use  wheels  to  save  talking — possibly  to  save  preaching ;  it  does 
save  the  sermon,  yet  brings  people  to  church." 

"It  must  amuse  them,  too,"  said  Adele ;  "they  are  only  chil- 
dren, you  know." 

"But  grown-up  children,"  remarked  the  Doctor. 

"Yes,  and  that  reminds  me;  I've  heard  before  of  folk  con- 
demned for  much  speaking  without  thinking,  and  for  sound- 
ing trumpets  in  the  synagogue  and  streets;  we've  certainly 
found  it  here  by  the  roadside." 

The  scene  thus  far  had  been  antipathetic  to  Adele,  to  both 
her  artistic  and  to  her  religious  sense;  still  her  sympathy  for 
the  poor  Taoists  was  excited.  The  real  missionary  spirit  arose 
within  her;  but  what  could  she  do?  It  seemed  preposterous 
to  attempt  or  to  say  anything  just  then;  she  turned  toward 
Doctor  Wise. 

The  Doctor  was  standing  near  a  very  old  woman  who  had 
just  entered,  a  poor  creature  in  rags  and  tatters,  her  face 
smeared  with  dried  blood  and  other  red  pigments,  a  veritable 
hag  in  outer  appearance,  bowed  down  with  hard  work  and 
suffering.  Even  the  Lamas  made  way  for  her,  however,  for 
she  was  known  to  be  a  very  devout  old  creature,  who  spent 
much  time  in  the  Temple,  who  almost  lived  there;  in  fact, 
she  was  a  sort  of  priestess  among  them,  the  very  priestess 
who  had  heard  Adele  singing  on  the  heights  above  her,  and 
had  said  it  was  the  Good  Spirits  talking  in  the  air. 

The  poor  old  soul  had  come  to  her  customary  holy  place, 


258        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

and  was  now  evidently  surprised  to  find  it  invaded  by  such 
a  coterie  of  strangers.  Her  attitude  of  intense  curiosity  soon 
changed  to  an  obsequious  inclination  of  the  body — the  poor 
creature  was  doing  her  very  best  to  meet  the  case,  to  welcome 
them  to  her  temple. 

Adele  felt  drawn  to  her  because  she  was  so  hideous  to  be- 
hold— so  sure  is  it  that  extremes  will  meet  if  truth  is  in  each. 
Both  being  sincere,  each  after  her  own  fashion,  the  poor 
Taoist  quickly  appreciated  when  one  of  her  own  sex  came 
nearer  to  her ;  and  an  experience  altogether  truthful  followed. 

The  eyes  of  the  priestess  surveyed  Adele  from  hat  to  shoes ; 
and  womanly  instinct  once  gratified,  her  eyes  brightened. 
Adele  smiled  responsively ;  utterly  forgetful  that  she  herself 
was  indeed  beautiful,  her  heart  went  straight  forward  in  vis- 
ible sympathy  with  the  poor  creature  before  her. 

The  light  in  those  old  Taoist  eyes  became  still  brighter — it 
was  wonderful  this  time — with  that  Asiatic  fire  which  char- 
acterizes the  religious  enthusiast.  An  idea  had  evidently 
struck  the  priestess;  what  was  it? 

Turning  from  Adele  she  hobbled  across  the  room,  each  step 
an  effort,  to  where  stood  an  enormous  prayer-wheel  over  six 
feet  high,  the  most  important  wheel  in  the  Temple.  Squatting 
on  the  floor  beside  it,  she  fumbled  under  it  as  if  tryir  -  to  find 
something. 

It  was  Adele's  turn  to  be  curious. 

The  priestess,  now  fired  by  religious  zeal,  drew  from  under- 
neath an  iron  bar  bent  at  one  end,  not  unlike  a  heavy  poker. 
She  adjusted  it  underneath  to  a  crank  on  the  wheel,  and  began 
tugging  and  struggling. 

Paul  exclaimed  at  once:  "She's  trying  to  start  that  im- 
mense machine !" 

"It  looks  so,"  said  Adele  quietly. 

"To  pray  with  that  is  hard  work." 

"She  is  not  conscious  of  the  effort." 

"Well,  I  should  be." 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       259 

"I  never  knew  before  what  it  meant,"  said  Adele. 

"What?" 

"Why,  to  pray  with  all  your  strength — don't  you  see  ?" 

"Yes." 

"She  has  a  motive  to  give  her  strength;  I  see  it  in  her 
eyes." 

"Possibly !  but  don't  tell  me  you  can  detect  motives  in  peo- 
ple's eyes." 

"I  can ;  she  is  a  woman,  you  are  not." 

"I  give  it  up,"  said  Paul.  "You  have  the  advantage  of  me 
in  feminine  insight ;  what  is  her  motive  ?" 

"To  pray  for  us,"  said  Adele  seriously.  "I  feel  sure  of  it; 
the  good  old  soul,  she  looks  it  and  acts  it;  she's  going  to 
pray." 

"By  machinery  ?" 

"It  is  for  us,  I  tell  you,  Paul;  I  don't  care  if  she  doesn't 
say  a  word ;  she's  doing  it  for  us  ! — don't  you  see  her  ?" 

"Oh !" 

"Watch,  and  pray  yourself,  and  you  will  see." 

Paul  watched,  but  he  couldn't  pray,  not  just  then,  so  he 
whispered :  "Taoists  and  Buddhists  don't  pray,  anyhow — they 
only  mutter." 

"Well,  no  matter,  nor  mutter  either,"  said  Adele.  "It's  the 
way  they  get  at  it.  She  is  not  beautiful,  but  she  has  some- 
thing better — she  can " 

"Use  machinery,"  muttered  Paul,  the  incorrigible.  "No, 
Adele,  she  is  not  handsome " 

"No,  but  she  is  good  and  true,  poor  old  woman.  If  I  had 
to  make  the  choice,  I  would  rather  have  her  prayerful  spirit 
than  even  beauty." 

Paul  looked  at  the  lovely  girl  to  whom  he  was  betrothed, 
and  thought  her  an  enthusiast  quite  equal  to  the  old  woman; 
then  upon  second  thought : 

"Adele !" 

"Well?" 


260        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"I  suppose  you  are  right,  but  I'm  glad  you  don't  look  like 
her." 

While  they  watched,  the  poor  priestess  was  still  tugging  at 
her  wheel;  she  had  but  little  strength  and  it  was  so  heavy. 
None  of  her  people  offered  to  help. 

Adele's  interest  increased,  until  a  glow  came  into  her  eyes 
also ;  seizing  Paul  by  the  arm,  she  whispered : 

"It's — it's  too  much  for  her,  Paul ;  see  !  she  cannot  move  it. 
You  must  help — no,  I ;"  and  the  next  instant  Adele  was  beside 
the  Taoist  on  the  floor;  each  helping  the  other  to  turn  the 
wheel,  each  trying  to  pray  according  to  her  own  previous  ex- 
perience. Adele  said  afterwards  it  took  about  all  the  strength 
she  had. 

Between  them,  the  wheel  began  to  turn  slowly,  very  slowly ; 
the  dead  weight,  the  inertia,  the  figurative  indifference  to  be 
overcome  was  typical  of  mundane  matters  generally,  forming 
a  heavy  impediment  to  be  overcome  in  spiritual  relationship. 
But  the  wheel  did  move,  the  momentum  increased,  it  gained 
force,  and  was  soon  revolving  at  a  good  rate  of  speed  by  the 
sole  effort  of  the  poor,  weak,  but  sincere  Taoist. 

Adele  slipped  aside,  and  stood  listening  to  the  low  musical 
hum  of  the  large  machine  instead  of  the  sharp  buzzing  of  the 
smaller  wheels  she  had  heard  before.  Her  musical  ear  at  once 
noticed  the  profound  difference  in  the  tone;  it  sounded 
solemn — aye,  sweet  and  peaceful;  if  continued  it  would  be  a 
veritable  lullaby  dominated  by  spiritual  significance ;  it  would 
be  truly  musical,  spiritual  music;  all  the  greater  harmonies 
condensed  in  one  solemn  tone;  a  single  spiritual  tone.  The 
greatest  orchestra  of  man  could  do  no  more. 

Could  it  be  possible  that  this  wild  priestess  was  also  af- 
fected by  the  sacred  solemn  sound  ?  Do  even  the  crude  forms 
of  religion  have  such  subtle  distinctions  of  feeling?  Do  they 
not,  as  well  as  we,  hear  the  solemn  sounds  in  nature?  Why 
not  ?  Nature's  tones  are  full  of  significance.  And  who  would 
"know''  this  better  than  those  who  worship  in  the  forest  where 


A  TWENTIETH  CEN"TURY  IDEALIST       261 

the  trees  bow  their  heads  and  the  leaves  rustle;  or  by  the 
stream  where  zephyrs  blow  and  the  birds  warble;  or  before 
the  majestic  mountains  when  the  rushing  mighty  wind  blows 
its  diapason,  and  the  avalanche  gives  the  basal  note  at  the 
end  ?  Such  are  the  nocturnes,  the  largos,  aye,  the  symphonic 
sounds  in  nature.  Does  not  a  "nature-worshiper"  hear  them  ? 
They  have  been  from  the  beginning,  are  now,  and  ever  shall  be. 

Strange,  oh,  passing  strange,  the  low  tone  of  this  mighty 
wheel  now  sounded  much  like  nature's  tones  in  harmony  with 
one  at  her  devotions. 

"I  have  heard  the  Taoist  organ,"  thought  Adele,  "its  sacred 
solemn  sound." 

But  for  this  solemn  music,  there  was  silence  in  the  Temple 
while  the  Taoist  muttered. 

So  long  as  the  strangers  remained  in  that  Cathedral  chapel 
the  huge  wheel  continued  to  revolve — emblem  of  perpetual 
prayer — praying  without  ceasing.  The  priestess  who  thus 
prayed  had  much  to  say — to  repeat — being  old,  and  with  little 
time  left  in  which  to  say  her  prayers.  She  kept  on,  oblivious 
to  all  surroundings,  absorbed  in  contemplation  of  the  unseen ; 
for  with  all  humanity  there  is  nothing  so  real  as  the  unseen. 
She  kept  on  oblivious  to  all  the  outer  world  who  might  be 
gazing  with  curiosity;  she  remained  crouched  on  the  floor  of 
the  Temple,  simply  muttering,  over  and  over  again,  some 
mystic  phrase  or  the  name  of  Buddha,  which  none  of  the 
strangers  could  understand. 

When  the  party  left  she  was  still  praying  after  her  fashion. 
As  they  mounted  their  ponies  and  journeyed  out  into  the  great 
world,  she  was  still  meditating  on  the  best  she  knew,  as  the 
Good  Spirit  had  taught  her.  As  they  descended  the  ravine, 
Adele  could  still  hear  the  hum  of  the  wheels;  and  above  all 
the  low  solemn  tone  was  profoundly  significant.  It  now  came 
to  her  from  above,  through  the  tree-tops ;  it  blended  with  the 
rustling  of  the  leaves,  and  was  lost  in  the  sough  of  the  forest. 


262        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 


XLI 

PROCESSIONAL  BEFORE    THE    VEIL 

ATMOSPHERIC  changes  were  varied  and  rapid  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  Himalaya  "Five  Peaks  of  Eternal 
Snow."  Clear  days  were  by  no  means  constant 
around  Darjeeling.  There  were  periods  when  "the  view  to- 
wards the  chancel,"  as  Adele  called  it,  was  obstructed;  days 
when  the  clouds  hung  low,  even  resting  upon  the  forests  in 
the  ravines  beneath.  Yet  the  forms  of  the  trees  were  not 
always  hid,  they  appeared  as  darker  lines  of  delicate  tracery 
against  the  lighter  background. 

At  such  times  Adele  idealized  with  much  refinement  of 
vision.  "Those  trees  are  the  rood-screen;  I  can  see  through 
into  the  chancel  when  it  is  clear;  but  to-day  the  chancel  is 
misty,  the  clouds  hang  like  a  veil.  It  is  astonishing  how  much 
is  hidden  by  fog  and  mist  in  nature;  that  veil  hides  a  great 
deal. 

The  Doctor  also  was  very  appreciative  of  such  atmospheric 
changes,  since  they  often  resulted  in  superb  effects,  cloud 
scenery,  sunbursts  never  to  be  forgotten  for  their  magnifi- 
cence. 

It  thus  happened  while  they  were  all  assembled  on  a  Satur- 
day evening  discussing  projects  for  the  morrow,  that  Adele 
and  the  Doctor  each  felt  the  impulse  to  rise  early  on  the  same 
morning  to  watch  some  of  the  atmospheric  changes  which 
made  beautiful  the  dawn. 

The  Doctor  remembered  having  seen  remarkable  effects  at 
Banff  in  the  Rockies;  and  Adele  recalled  having  met  Tar- 
tarin  de  Tarascon  on  the  Righi  pretty  early  in  the  morning; 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       263 

no  doubt  there  might  be  some  greater  things  than  these  to  be 
found  among  the  Himalayas.  Why  it  was,  that  only  these  two 
of  the  party  should  have  been  so  moved,  and  upon  the  same 
particular  morning,  and  without  saying  anything  about  it 
previously,  the  Doctor  could  never  quite  understand;  unless 
on  the  general  principle  that  if  people  will  follow  their  natural 
inclinations  to  see  the  best  in  life  they  need  not  be  surprised  to 
find  others  doing  the  same  thing  at  the  same  time.  When 
they  discussed  it  subsequently,  Adele  accounted  for  it  in  her 
own  way. 

"I  so  often  dislike  to  make  the  necessary  effort.  That  sort 
of  effort  is  very  trying,  when  to  see  something  extra  which  I 
know  can  be  seen  I  must  force  myself.  Getting  up  early,  for 
instance ;  I  don't  like  getting  up  early  as  a  general  thing,  but 
I  Just  forced  myself  to  do  so  on  that  morning." 

Thus  it  happened  to  be  the  first  day  of  the  week  very  early 
in  the  morning  that  she  and  the  Doctor  found  themselves 
abroad  when  it  was  yet  somewhat  dark.  Adele  was  the  first 
to  appear  upon  the  scene ;  she  was  standing  in  the  road  oppo- 
site Peek-o'-Tip  when  the  Doctor  came  out  of  the  bungalow. 
Neither  one  was  in  the  mood  for  conversation,  and  the  morn- 
ing air  was  fresh.  After  the  first  agreeable  surprise  Adele  put 
her  arm  in  his  and  they  moved  off  together  briskly.  She  was 
in  sympathy  with  him  also,  as  with  Paul,  but  the  mutual  feel- 
ing manifested  itself  very  differently.    The  cloud  hung  low. 

"The  sun  will  drink  up  the  mist,"  remarked  the  Doctor  in 
peasant  parlance. 

"I  hope  so,  but  I  never  can  tell.  Let  us  go  to  Observatory 
Hill ;  that's  the  best  place."  She  seemed  to  take  it  as  a  matter 
of  course  that  they  each  had  the  same  object  in  view. 

"Your  Cathedral  is  gloomy,"  said  the  Doctor,  looking 
around. 

"One  can't  see  the  chancel." 

"No." 

"It's  the  veil,"  said  Adele,  thoughtful. 


264        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

''What  did  you  say?" 

"The  cloud-curtains,  the  veil  of  the  Temple  is  down." 

After  walking  some  distance  they  entered  a  grove ;  of  course 
it  became  still  darker  because  they  entered  the  grove.  What 
they  did  not  notice  was  that  the  clouds,  instead  of  dispersing, 
were  becoming  more  dense.  They  only  remembered  that  the 
path  led  upwards  towards  higher  ground  in  the  open. 

At  one  point  on  the  way  Adele  stopped,  and  looked  into  a 
dark  glen  where  she  said  she  heard  running  water.  The  Doc- 
tor pushed  aside  bushes  that  stood  in  the  way,  and  they  were 
sprinkled  by  the  moisture  that  had  condensed  on  the  bushes. 
If  there  had  been  more  light  they  would  have  seen  the  dia- 
mond drops  upon  the  scarlet  blossoms ;  but  these  were  hidden 
in  the  shadows  at  the  mouth  of  the  glen. 

Before  them  was  an  exquisite  cascade  falling  over  rocks; 
coming  down  the  mountain  it  was  tossed  upon  either  side  of  a 
hea'S'}'  stone  which  had  been  rolled  there  in  past  ages  by  nat- 
ural forces,  and  now  stood  with  white  foam  enveloping  its 
rugged  sides. 

This  unexpected  gem  of  natural  scenery  compelled  them  to 
halt  and  admire. 

"What  a  surprise,  how  beautiful !"  exclaimed  Adele. 

"Yes,  even  in  this  dull  light." 

"The  water  looks  like  delicate  cambric." 

"Why,  so  it  does — draped  round  the  stone ;  the  rocks  are 
sombre  and  solemn.  You  know  it  is  said  that  some  animals, 
wild  and  savage,  like  to  find  such  places  as  this  to  nestle  down 
and  take  their  last  long  sleep." 

"I  think  I  know  why,  too/'  said  Adele. 

"Ah !" 

"It  is  the  music  of  the  waterfall  perhaps,  and  the  movement 
too.    The  water  is  so  much  alive,  it's  living  water." 

"All  life  seeks  life,"  said  the  Doctor.  "Some  sort  of  com- 
panionship ;  even  a  hermit  likes  the  life  in  his  glen.  It's  not 
uncheerful  here,  after  all,  is  it — even  if  it  seems  gloomy?" 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       265 

"No,  listen;  the  waterfall  is  singing.  I  could  catch  the 
rhythm,  and  perhaps  a  cadence,  in  a  short  time  if  I  were  to 
try;  it  seems  to  say  something." 

"What  does  it  say,  to  you  ?" 

"Oh,  'tis  'the  water  of  life  repeating,'  "  said  Adele,  quoting 
one  of  her  favorite  lines.  "I  cannot  tell  you  exactly  what  it 
says  in  words,  but  the  music  in  it  is  hopeful ;  I  love  to  listen 
to  it." 

"So  do  I,"  said  the  Doctor.    "Would  you  like  a  drink?" 

"Indeed,  I  would;  just  for  remembrance,  to  say  we  have 
been  here  together.    Let  us  take  a  drink  in  remembrance." 

They  both  drank  from  a  cup  made  of  leaves — both  of  the 
same  cup — "the  water  of  life,"  as  Adele  called  it ;  and  as  they 
drank  a  bird  flew  down  from  its  nest,  perched  itself  on  a  rock 
near  the  cascade  above  them,  and  drank  also ;  a  little  bird  with 
a  red  breast.  They  did  not  see  the  bird,  emblem  of  suffering 
unto  death  for  others,  and  only  took  a  drop  or  two  themselves, 
for  verily  the  realities  of  life  made  the  glen  damp  and  cold, 
yet  the  thought  symbolized  by  the  bird  was  ever  with  them  and 
the  moment  precious. 

"I  should  like  to  drink  that  water  always,"  said  Adele. 

"Always  is  a  long  time." 

"Well,  I  did  not  mean  exactly  that — until " 

The  Doctor  waited. 

"Well,  if  I  must  tell  you,  until  the  resurrection." 

"I  trust  we  may,"  said  he  solemnly. 

They  understood  each  other  perfectly,  and  after  a  pause, 
while  the  robin  sang  a  morning  hymn,  they  continued  their 
walk. 

Drops  of  rain  began  to  fall  upon  the  tree-tops.  Adele  and 
the  Doctor  caught  the  sound. 

"Only  a  little  condensation,"  said  he,  "a  draught  of  cooler 
air  has  passed  over.    We  will  be  out  of  it  in  a  few  minutes." 

Adele  felt  chilly,  but  would  not  say  so.  She  drew  her 
hooded-wrap  about  her,  and  felt  quite  safe  with  the  Doctor. 


266        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

"A  Lepcha  shanty  is  just  beyond  here,"  said  he,  "if  it 
comes  to  the  worst  we  can  find  shelter." 

"And  plenty  of  dirt,"  thought  Adele.  "No  doubt,  lots  of 
insects,  especially  on  a  damp  day," 

The  patter  of  rain  increased,  a  very  wet  drop  fell  upon  her 
cheek,  several  big  drops  struck  the  Doctor  full  in  the  face. 
Having  no  umbrellas  they  hurried  along  instinctively,  then 
broke  into  a  trot — then  ran  to  escape  as  best  they  could. 
When  crossing  an  open  space  between  the  woods  and  the  hut 
the  rain  fell  in  torrents. 

"You  will  be  drenched  through  and  through,"  said  the 
Doctor. 

"I  don't  mind  it  at  all.  It's  only  on  the  outside,  anyhow, 
and  I'm  warmly  clad;  still  it's  a  little  chilly — let's  hurry," 
and  off  she  started,  the  Doctor  after  her,  on  a  bee-line  for  the 
shelter.     Panting,  they  rushed  up  to  the  shanty. 

The  hut  was  almost  full — full  of  Lepchas — men,  women 
and  children,  unkempt  specimens  of  humanity  whose  clothes 
when  once  on  seemed  seldom  to  be  taken  off  until  they  fell  off. 
The  Lepchas  had  also  taken  refuge  from  the  storm,  and  were 
all  wet  and  bedraggled,  like  themselves. 

"A  sweet  party,  truly !"  thought  the  Doctor,  and  so  it  was. 
Poor  natives  lying  round  like  drowned  rats — the  i\.mericans 
in  exterior  appeared  not  much  better;  all  but  Adele's  cheeks 
which  glowed  after  the  exercise  of  running. 

She  pulled  back  her  hood,  and  a  ripple  of  smiles  played  over 
her  countenance — the  Lepchas  laughed  too.  Then  as  if  they 
were  all  friends  together,  she  asked:  "Can  you  take  us  in — 
take  us  in?"  and  began  shaking  the  rain  from  her  garments 
at  the  outer  stone.  It  must  have  been  her  cheerful  manner 
that  induced  one  of  the  women  to  make  room  next  herself  on 
a  seat;  the  Lepcha  men  were  more  stolid,  but  all  began  to 
move  when  the  strangers  entered. 

The  Doctor  soon  detected  a  goat  in  the  shanty — there  was 
no  doubt  about  it — and  concluded  to  escape  as  soon  as  possible. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       267 

But  there  they  were — caught;  caught  as  in  a  net  of  circum- 
stances. Little  did  he  or  Adele  know  to  what  the  circum- 
stances would  lead,  but  he  said  afterwards  that  it  reminded 
him  of  St.  Paul's  experience  at  Joppa  with  a  sheet-net  full  of 
common  things,  four-footed  beasts  and  fowls,  unclean  things 
in  general ;  which  later  on  proved  not  so  unclean  as  he  had  at 
first  thought ;  only  in  this  case  Adele  and  he  were  inside  the 
net  with  the  rest. 

Some  of  the  Lepchas  knew  a  few  words  of  English,  but 
the  more  ancient  universal  language  of  signs  and  grunts 
proved  to  be  more  useful.  Adele  patted  a  chicken,  and  a 
Lepcha  damsel  patted  the  young  goat,  a  kid.  Both  chicken 
and  kid  seemed  of  special  value  to  the  natives.  Adele  could 
not  conjecture  the  reason.  When  the  rain  ceased  and  they  all 
stepped  outside  she  was  further  enlightened.  Neither  the  wet 
Lepchas  nor  the  bedraggled  Christians  desired  to  remain  in 
that  stuffy  hut,  both  hurried  to  seek  the  fresh  air  and  to  reach 
the  open ;  the  whole  crowd  in  fact,  kid  and  chicken  included. 
And  out  they  scrambled,  pell-mell,  with  a  unanimity  of  action 
as  natural  as  it  was  prompt.  The  natives  formed  a  little  group 
in  the  open,  looking  around  to  satisfy  themselves  that  the 
clouds  were  dispersing.  Through  rifts  in  the  mist  near  them 
came  the  clearer  morning  light,  to  all,  from  whatever  part  of 
the  earth  they  had  come,  a  foretaste  of  the  brightest  of  days. 

The  natives  gathered  together,  a  little  company,  their  leader 
carrying  the  kid,  a  boy  following  with  the  fowl,  others  strag- 
gling by  twos  and  threes,  yet  now  all  of  sober  countenance. 

Adele  and  the  Doctor  looked  after  them ;  there  was  evidently 
some  purpose  in  the  manner  of  those  natives  as  they  proceeded 
up  the  hill  towards  its  crest,  to  the  very  place  of  observation 
they  themselves  had  selected  for  the  best  view,  and  where  they 
were  going  when  they  had  been  arrested  by  the  shower.  More 
than  mere  curiosity,  a  fellow-feeling,  now  suggested  that  they 
all  go  together;  so,  regardless  of  their  wet  and  soiled  gar- 
ments, Adele  and  the  Doctor  soon  found  themselves  willingly 


268        A  TWENTIETH  CEXTURY  IDEALIST 

tramping  up  that  hill  along  with  the  ragged  natives.  The 
leader  looked  askance  at  first,  but  when  he  noticed  Adele  be- 
side one  of  his  women,  and  the  Doctor  with  his  men,  he  made 
the  best  of  it,  accepted  the  situation,  and  kept  ahead  carrying 
the  kid. 

The  path  wound  upwards,  the  ascent  growing  more  steep. 
None  could  see  far  ahead  when  the  processional  commenced. 
Not  until  their  march  was  well  under  way,  not  until  the  very 
last  stage  of  the  climb,  not  until  near  approach  to  the  place 
they  sought,  not  in  fact  until  their  own  forms  arose  above  the 
near  foreground,  did  they  witness  the  Glory  in  nature  which 
was,  and  is,  and  is  to  be. 

And  as  they  surmounted  the  crest  of  the  hill,  so  did  the 
Celestial  scenery  beyond  become  visible  to  their  mortal  eyes, 
rising  before  them  a  sublime  transformation  scene — an  ascen- 
sion of  truth  beautiful  in  nature. 

To  Adele  and  the  Doctor,  a  veritable  transfiguration  of  the 
earth  as  they  might  imagine  it  glorified  on  the  morning  of  a 
Eesurrection. 

The  mighty  summits,  the  eternal  peaks,  on  this  first  day 
of  the  week,  shone  forth  in  the  purer  atmosphere  of  greater 
altitude,  magnificent  in  proportions  as  a  work  in  Creation, 
impressive  in  their  glorious  grandeur,  refulgent  as  with  the 
sacred  glow  of  a  physical  rebirth. 

The  clouds  were  moving  aside,  as  a  curtain  is  withdrawn; 
and  from  the  depths  below,  the  valley  and  ravine,  from  forest 
and  waterfall,  rose  the  mist.  That  which  covers,  screens,  or 
conceals  in  nature,  like  the  fog,  was  passing  away ;  that  which 
is  more  permanent,  ascending  heavenward  to  form  clouds; 
ascending  as  incense  ascends ;  incense  symbolic  from  ages  past 
of  the  prayers  of  humanity. 

The  Holy  of  Holies  of  the  Himalaya  Cathedral  was  open  be- 
fore them. 

The  Veil  of  the  Temple  had  been  rent  in  twain. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       269 


XLII 

ON  HOLY  GROUND 

AS  the  impressive  scene  unfolded,  the  Cathedral  becom- 
ing more  sublimely  beautiful  each  moment,  Adele 
watched  the  wonderful  play  of  light — the  refulgence. 
She  was  also  profoundly  impressed  by  the  magnificent  propor- 
tions of  the  picture  then  being  illuminated  before  her  very 
eyes  by  the  Creator;  and  felt  the  breath  of  life  come  and  go 
with  emotion. 

"It  is  the  Glorious  Beauty  of  Holiness,"  she  murmured,  and 
then,  kept  silence  before  Him. 

Now,  next  to  Adele  stood  the  native  woman;  and  before 
them  both  was  unrolled  the  same  scene.  To  this  Himalaya 
worshiper,  Lepcha,  Bhootanese,  Nepaulese,  Thibetan,  or  what- 
ever tribe  she  might  have  been  born,  the  effect  was  not  the 
same  as  upon  Adele.  Familiarity  with  such  sunrises  in  the 
mountains  had  dulled  what  little  appreciation  she  might  ever 
have  had ;  but  her  religion  had  told  her  something  which  Adele 
did  not  know.  From  untold  generations  her  people  had  been 
taught  to  regard  that  place  as  sacred.  She  had  been  brought 
there  as  a  child,  and  now  she  was  leading  her  own  children 
there ;  and  told  the  little  ones :  "The  place  whereon  thou  stand- 
est  is  holy  ground."  She  had  also  her  own  ideas  as  to  why  it 
was  sacred;  and  that  very  morning  had  come  to  the  holy 
ground  to  show  the  children  why  it  was  holy ;  but  Adele  knew 
nothing  of  all  this. 


270        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

Worldly  wisdom  might  have  judged  this  woman  and  Adele 
to  be  in  no  way  alike,  yet,  here  in  this  presence,  where  the 
holiness  of  beauty  and  the  beauty  of  holiness  were  both  in 
evidence,  there  was  really  a  fundamental  similarity. 

Adele  drew  near  the  Doctor ;  he,  too,  had  been  keeping  silent 
in  the  Holy  Place. 

"The  Veil  has  been  taken  away,"  said  she. 

"H'm,  yes." 

"It  is  the  most  impressive  sight  I  ever  beheld." 

"Why  so  ?" 

"It  is  as  a  chancel  should  be." 

"Of  course,  the  most  beautiful  portion  of  a  cathedral." 

"Beauty  is  not  all,  I  feel  more  than  I  see;  the  beauty  is 
sacred  here;  the  sacred  feeling  comes  first,  and  then — oh,  it 
is  so  beautiful !" 

"It  must  be  a  Holy  Place  if  it  affects  you  that  way." 

"Yes,  a  place  for  prayer,  it  seems  natural  to  pray  here; 
here  one  thinks  upwards,  and  looks  upwards." 

"Then  the  effect  is  spiritual  as  well  as  artistic." 

"Oh,  don't  analyze !  I  don't  wish  to  reason  at  all,"  said 
Adele.  "For  me  it's  perfect.  I'm  satisfied.  Just  let  me  rest 
here,  let  me  go  and  sit  down,  and  he  a  part  of  it" 

She  seated  herself  at  the  foot  of  a  tree. 

It  would  have  been  sacrilege  to  disturb  her  at  that  moment 
— a  violation  of  sacred  things  in  her  experience.  So,  on  the 
instant,  thought  the  Doctor. 

After  a  little  reflection,  the  Doctor  said  to  himself  that 
this  was  not  the  time  for  Adele  to  "loaf  and  invite  her  soul." 
He  feared  lest  she  was  carrying  her  idealization  entirely  too 
far.  Even  the  best  in  the  world,  if  carried  to  excess,  leads  one 
into  danger;  and  spiritual  excesses  are  especially  dangerous, 
either  to  youth  or  old  age. 

To  sit  at  the  feet  of  Nature,  to  admire  and  enjoy  the 
Creator's  work,  was  one  thing;  to  be  so  absorbed  in  Nature's 
moods,  and  to  become  such  a  slave  to  emotion  that  all  else  is 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       271 

forgotten,  would  be  quite  another  thing.  Adele  seemed  to 
have  forgotten  the  Lepchas,  and  himself,  and  even  her  own 
self;  and  to  be  totally  absorbed  in  adoration  of  the  scenery. 

The  Doctor  had  many  times  seen  pious  worshipers  in  cer- 
tain phases  of  Hindooism,  Buddhism,  and  Christianity,  in- 
dulge in  that  sort  of  thing;  but  never  in  Shintoism  or  any 
really  old  form  of  faith  which  brought  one  close  to  nature, 
through  nature's  activities  and  manifestations  unidealized; 
where  nature  spoke  for  herself  and  mankind  was  silent  before 
her.  He  suspected  this  excess  of  idealization,  this  becoming 
"a  part  of  it,"  as  Adele  had  wished  for,  might  become  really 
a  weakness  in  her  character,  and  might  lead  her  into  danger. 
Such  a  frame  of  mind  would  certainly  be  fascinating  to  Adele, 
she  was  so  made,  she  was  constitutionally  an  idealist ;  but  cer- 
tainly it  was  not  mentally  healthful  in  relation  to  her  duty  to 
others ;  not  a  thing  to  be  rooted  out,  but  to  be  controlled  lest 
the  result  should  prove  injurious. 

The  Doctor  determined  to  break  in  upon  her  mood  in  some 
way.  He  recalled  her  last  remark,  that  she  was  perfectly  satis- 
fied with  her  Cathedral,  and  only  wished  to  rest  and  be  a  part 
of  it. 

"Adele,  you  said  this  Cathedral  was  complete." 

"It  is  to  me." 

"Not  if  it  is  a  cathedral  as  usually  understood." 

"What  do  you  mean  ?" 
.     "You  have  idealized  what  we  now  see  as  the  chancel  ?" 

"Certainly,  the  place  where  the  service  is  conducted." 

"May  I  ask  what  is  the  central  feature  in  the  service  to 
which  you  and  I  are  accustomed  ?" 

"To  administer;  no  doubt." 

"To  administer;  certainly — but  what?" 

She  thought  very  seriously,  trjdng  to  find  suitable  words. 
She  was  not  accustomed  to  this  sort  of  stand-up-and-deliver 
catechism ;  but  finally  she  spoke : 

"Some  might  say  to  administer  the  sacrifice;  but  I  do  not 


272        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

see  how  this  can  be  possible.  It  is  not  a  fact  in  nature ;  I  can- 
not consider  it  true/* 

"May  I  ask,  why  not?" 

"You  can  never  kill  the  truth ;  and  Christ  is  not  dead,  but 
living ;  they  are  the  same  no  matter  how  you  think  about  it — 
Christ  and  the  Truth." 

"But  Truth  was  sacrificed  in  Him." 

"Never !"  she  cried.  "That  is  an  impossibility  in  nature. 
It  only  seems  sacrificed ;  it  never  really  is." 

"But  He  was  sacrificed." 

"His  great  sacrifice  of  Himself  for  Truth's  sake  was  really 
His  whole  life  work,  and  it  was  Perfection,"  said  Adele. 

"His  life,  as  well  as  His  death,"  acquiesced  the  Doctor,  sol- 
emnly. 

"Yes,  a  perfect  work.'' 

"Well  then,  Adele,  no  other  idealized  sacrifice  in  administer- 
ing could  make  the  service  more  complete,  nor  the  atonement 
more  adequate  than  it  is." 

The  atonement ! 

Yes.  The  at-one-ment — the  Saving  of  the  World — the  Sal- 
vation of  Mankind  by  the  Truth. 

And  as  they  conversed  thus,  upon  the  Lepcha  Holy  Ground, 
the  Doctor  concluded  that  Adele's  meditations  had  not  led 
her  astray;  but  he  felt  constrained  to  say  something  further 
which  had  been  on  his  mind  from  the  first. 

"Adele,  with  us  the  ministration  is  usually  at  the  chancel 
rail." 

"Yes,  or  what  corresponds  to  it." 

"Where  from?" 

"The  altar;  why  do  you  ask?" 

"Have  you  seen  any  altar  in  this  Cathedral  ?" 

Adele  looked  around  in  different  directions,  continually 
reverting  to  the  chancel  region  she  had  idealized,  as  if  it  ought 
to  be  there.    Surely  there  must  be  an  altar  in  nature,  or  some- 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       273 

thing  she  could  idealize  as  such;  for  so  many  religions  pro- 
fessed to  have  altars,  from  the  earliest  times  down  to  the 
present  day.  She  began  to  fear  lest  her  imagery  as  to  the 
Cathedral  had  failed  her  in  a  vital  point.  Once  before  she 
had  thought  she  could  discover  some  form  or  shape  in  the 
higher  altitudes  which  might  suggest  an  altar;  in  every  case 
the  light  had  been  so  dazzling,  or  what  she  tried  to  see  was  so 
vague,  that  her  ideal  had  never  been  satisfied  in  its  most  vital 
need;  and  now  with  the  chancel  itself  open,  the  veil  rent,  she 
saw  nothing  to  suggest  an  altar.  Where  was  it  ?  Had  it  been 
there  ?    If  so,  then  what  had  become  of  it — the  altar  ? 


2Ti        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 


XLIII 

SACRIFICE  * 

A  DELE  was  still  sitting  at  the  foot  of  the  tree;  some 
said  it  was  a  bo-tree ;  others  did  not  have  knowledge 
enough  to  tell  what  kind  of  a  tree  it  was.  She  did 
not  think  of  this  at  all,  as  she  sat  dreaming  upon  the  magnifi- 
cent spectacle  before  her.  In  her  mind  she  was  seeking  for  an 
answer  to  the  Doctor's  inquiry ;  then  her  eyes,  while  searching 
for  some  object  which  might  be  idealized  in  some  degree  as  an 
altar,  were  drawn  to  the  immediate  foreground,  away  from 
the  chancel,  to  something  in  her  own  vicinity,  quite  near  her- 
self. 

Upon  the  same  knoll,  a  short  distance  from  her,  boughs  of 
foliage  were  festooned  with  cords  and  ropes  upon  which  hung 
hundreds  of  small  pieces  of  bright-colored  muslin  cut  fan- 
tastically ;  also  pieces  of  white  textile,  the  size  of  a  large  nap- 
kin, covered  with  printed  or  crudely  stamped  characters  in  the 
native  language.  Hanging  in  garlands  from  bough  to  bough, 
fluttering  in  the  wind  among  the  leaves,  they  were  about  as 
effective  as  yacht  signals  strung  out  for  decoration.  Signals 
they  were,  indeed,  but  of  quite  another  kind;  the  fluttering 
prayer-signals  of  the  poor  Lepchas,  or  Bhootanese,  or  Thibet- 
ans, arranged  in  a  semi-circle  around  their  sacred  place. 
Wafted  heavenward  by  the  breeze,  such  signals  were  presented 
as  acceptable  to  the  Good  Spirits,  and  were  considered  to  bear 
upwards  the  supplications  of  poor  humanity.  They  were  the 
symbols  of  prayer  used  by  the  same  worshipers  in  whose  hut 
Adele  and  the  Doctor  had  found  a  welcome  shelter  from  the 
storm. 

At  first  sight  Adele  thought:  "How  very  crude  and  taw- 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       275 

dry!"  A  second  glance  told  her  the  decorations  symbolized 
something,  and  she  felt  more  sympathetic.  The  bright  colors 
and  the  printed  texts  on  white  were  certainly  newer,  fresher, 
and  cleaner  than  the  garments  of  the  Lepchas  themselves; 
they  must  have  been  selected,  and  they  had  cost  something; 
oaly  a  few  annas  perhaps,  or  possibly  some  widow's  mite. 

"Yes,  the  effect  is  cheerful;  a  happy  one,"  thought  Adele. 
"One  doesn't  feel  despondent  when  looking  at  them."  How 
could  it  be  otherwise  when  each  praying-signal  fluttered  a 
message  of  thanks,  or  propitation? — all  of  them  in  remem- 
brance of  the  Good  Spirits.  And  then  she  thought  she  detected 
among  them  a  familiar  arrangement  of  colors ;  what ! — could 
it  be  possible?  Yes,  an  old  faded-out,  partly-torn  specimen 
of  "Old  Glory,"  hardly  recognizable,  but  yet  there,  for  the 
sake  of  its  being  a  new  arrangement  of  colors,  probably  its 
true  significance  utterly  unknown.  This  moved  Adele  intensely, 
giving  her  a  Cl^rious  new  emotion,  blending  her  patriotic  feel- 
ing with  the  sacred  things  of  others.  Finally  she  concluded 
that  all  the  signals  were  really  artistic  from  the  Lepcha  point 
of  view,  for  she  noticed  an  expression  of  much  satisfaction 
pass  over  the  countenances  of  the  natives  when  they  found 
their  sacred  prayer-colors  were  still  so  bravely  fluttering  after 
the  storm;  still  in  motion  where  the  Spirit  of  the  Air  could 
easily  see  and  hear.  The  poor  woman  with  whom  Adele  had 
walked  up  pointed  to  some  as  if  they  were  her  own  private 
signals,  but  as  Adele  did  not  manifest  much  outward  en- 
thusiasm about  them,  a  sad  expression  came  over  the  face  of 
the  nature-worshiper.  She  seemed  to  realize  that  she  ought 
not  to  expect  these  strangers  to  understand  her  feelings.  Per- 
haps the  strangers  would  scorn  such  things — old  pieces  of 
muslin  picked  up  in  the  bazaar;  they  could  afford  yards  and 
yards  of  it  if  they  chose.  So  the  poor  woman  turned  away 
disappointed,  to  seek  sympathy  among  her  own  kindred  who 
could  better  understand  how  such  things  were  acceptable  to 
the  Good  Spirit. 


276        A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST 

It  was  profoundly  interesting  to  see  those  two  at  this  time, 
so  near  in  body,  and  yet  so  far  apart  in  religious  interpreta- 
tions; 3-et  each  upon  what  was  to  her  ''holy  ground."  Such 
are  the  mysterious  operations  of  the  Spirit  of  Religion  in 
Nature. 

Adele  was  just  beginning  to  realize  the  varied  conflicting 
elements  in  her  surroundings  when  she  and  the  Doctor  heard 
voices  behind  them — a  weird  chant — a  primitive  monotonous 
crooning,  but  wild — the  natives'  hymn.  Around  a  thicket  the 
people  had  gathered,  singing  this  invocation.  Adele  and  the 
Doctor  drew  near,  and  both  of  them  being  musical  they  in- 
volimtarily  attempted  to  catch  the  higher  notes  and  to  join  in ; 
but  it  proved  to  be  too  much  for  them  in  every  way,  espe- 
cially to  Adele's  cultivated  ear.  The  very  simplicity  of  the 
strange  sounds,  all  spirit  and  no  art,  made  it  difficult  to  detect 
any  method,  only  variations  of  monotonous  notes  and  cries; 
sometimes  rhythm,  but  no  trace  of  melody,  at  least  to  civilized 
ears.  It  was  painfully  monotonous;  aye,  there  was  pain  in- 
deed in  that  native  chant  of  invocation.  No  grand  aria  of  the 
art  divine,  nor  "wail  of  the  orchestra"  in  modern  times,  had 
more  pain  to  the  spirit  in  man,  than  that  primitive  wail.  All 
that  Adele  and  the  Doctor  could  do  was  to  feel  for  them,  yet 
not  be  of  them. 

The  thicket  was  formed  by  underbrush  which  had  sprung 
up  around  some  taller  trees.  There  was  an  open  space  inside, 
with  several  rocks  and  stones  which  had  evidently  been 
brought  there  by  the  worshipers.  One  rock  larger  than  the 
rest  stood  on  one  side,  the  others  scattered  with  apparent  lack 
of  method.  The  entrance  was  wide,  so  that  all  near  at  hand 
could  witness  what  was  going  on  within  the  circle.  And  while 
the  weird  song  continued  outside,  the  people  drew  nearer  and 
nearer;  the  solemn  moment  arrived  for  the  Leader  and  his 
Helper  to  enter  this  thicket — the  Lepcha  Holy  of  Holies — and 
stand  before  their  altar. 

As  Abraham  of  old,  in  mature  manhood.  Leader  of  "the 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST       277 

Chosen  People"  among  races,  did  enter  a  thicket  and  there 
offer  a  sacrifice  well  pleasing  to  the  Lord:  so  did  this  poor 
native  at  the  end  of  the  Nineteenth  Century,  enter  his  Holy 
Place,  a  thicket  in  the  Creator's  Cathedral  of  the  Himalayas ; 
and  there  did  offer  a  sacrifice  well  pleasing  to  the  Good  Spirit 
to  whom  a  thousand  years  are  as  one  day,  and  one  day  as  a 
thousand  years. 

The  first  offering  was  the  fowl ;  and  as  the  dying  spasms  of 
the  bird  scattered  blood  upon  the  stones,  and  upon  the  prim- 
itive priest,  and  upon  others  who  stood  near  enough,  the  wild 
chant  rose  above  the  sound  of  flapping  wings,  and  with  the 
final  throes  of  death  mingled  the  wails  of  the  worshipers. 

To  Adele,  whose  experience  in  killing  of  any  kind  was  lim- 
ited, the  sight  of  life-blood  flowing  was  most  painful,  even 
obnoxious.  When  a  little  girl  in  the  country  during  her 
school-day  vacations,  she  had  always  avoided  seeing  the  fowls 
killed;  not  only  because  it  destroyed  her  appetite  for  them 
afterwards,  but  because  she  felt  a  most  positive  and  acute 
sympathy  for  the  fowls.  In  later  years,  if  anyone  had  called 
such  proceedings  "a  sacrifice,"  she  would  have  been  much  sur- 
prised. On  this  occasion,  face  to  face  with  it,  her  sympathy 
was  strong  enough  to  give  her  a  sympathetic  pain  in  the  back 
of  her  own  neck  when  the  fowl  was  stabbed,  pierced  unto  death. 

When  Adele  was  in  the  hospital  acting  as  volunteer  nurse, 
her  experience  had  been  to  assist  in  curing,  not  in  the  surgical 
department;  and  if  such  had  been  the  case,  she  would  not  have 
remained  there  a  day.  Now,  when  she  found  herself  a  quasi- 
participant  in  these  Lepcha  proceedings,  eye-witness  of  a 
bloody  wounded  fowl  flapping  about,  the  situation  was  posi- 
tively repulsive;  and  very  difficult  to  sympathize  with,  even 
when  she  knew  the  act  to  be  a  feature  in  religious  worship. 
She  looked  up  at  the  Doctor. 

Doctor  Wise  was  absorbed  in  studying  the  movements  of 
the  priest. 


278       A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

The  Lepcha  stood  over  the  kid,  with  his  knife  drawn  ready 
to  take  its  innocent  life. 

Adele  caught  sight  of  him  in  that  attitude,  and  gave  a 
shudder.  She  knew  she  could  not  endure  to  witness  the  next 
act.  Naught  could  have  induced  her  to  turn  spiritually  from 
the  poor  nature-worshipers  at  such  a  moment,  yet  she  could  not 
accept  their  primitive  methods  as  other  than  downright  cruelty 
to-day.  The  sharp  glittering  knife,  the  rough  stone,  the 
priest's  stolid  expression ;  and  above  all  else,  the  unsuspecting 
little  kid,  so  docile,  as  if  among  friends.  Verily,  the  trustful 
eyes  of  the  little  animal  seemed  to  speak  the  very  words :  "Ye 
are  my  friends,  while  I  am  yet  with  you." 

Adele  buried  her  face  upon  the  Doctor's  shoulder,  and  only 
heard  without  seeing  the  sacrifice  which  followed. 

And  behold !  one  of  the  most  natural  yet  mysterious  of  all 
the  phenomena  in  nature  at  once  followed :  Adele,  embodying 
in  her  own  personality  the  progress  made  in  appreciation  of 
religious  ritual  upon  earth  since  primitive  times,  while  spared 
the  terror  of  realism,  was  more  deeply  affected  than  by  real- 
ism itself;  the  things  done  had  greater  scope  and  power,  the 
spiritual  impression  was  far  more  profound  and  lasting  than 
the  effect  of  any  spectacle  which  had  actually  been  witnessed, 
and  this  in  the  very  nature  of  truth  progressive.  The  mind 
is  greater  than  the  eye,  the  Spirit  of  Truth  is  greater  than  the 
mind,  the  real  growth  is  not  in  the  intellect  but  in  the  spirit ; 
aye,  "the  letter  killeth,  but  the  spirit  giveth  life.  Knowledge 
is  power,  but  the  spirit  giveth  immortality." 

Adele  heard  the  cry  of  pain,  the  cry  of  life  departing.  It 
was  only  that  of  an  animal,  an  innocent  kid,  but  it  and  its 
innocence  stood  in  lieu  of  many  human  beings.  She  heard 
the  chant  of  the  natives  calling  aloud,  heavenward !  above  the 
cries  of  the  innocent  sacrifice;  the  people  seemed  themselves 
to  be  suffering.  They  were,  yet  they  were  not ;  not  physically, 
yet  their  cries  sounded  as  if  the  knife  might  be  entering  their 
very  vitals.     No  realism  apparent  to  mortal  eyes  could  have 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST       279 

been  so  powerful  to  affect  them  spiritually — ^the  noblest,  the 
divine  in  their  personality;  not  unless  nature  itself  had  wit- 
nessed by  taking  part;  not  unless  the  veil  of  the  Himalaya 
Temple  had  closed  again,  or  "the  sun  had  been  darkened  over 
all  the  earth,"  or  some  such  occurrence  had  transpired  to  direct 
attention  to  an  event  affecting  humanity  at  large. 

Then  the  strangest  part  of  this  primitife  ritual  followed; 
enduring  in  its  action,  and  lasting  in  memory.  An  event  im- 
plying mystery  took  place,  a  seeming  mystery  was  suggested, 
a  philosophic  truth  inculcated.  How  so  by  such  a  primitive 
uneducated  people,  yet  able  to  embody  what  to  this  day  dom- 
inates the  prof oundest  concepts  of  philosophic  man  ? 

With  the  passing  of  the  life  by  sacrifice,  the  life  from  the 
shed  blood  as  it  curdled  and  sank  into  the  ground,  went  also 
the  moans  and  dirges  of  those  for  whom  the  sacrifice  had  been 
made.  The  Lepcha  voices  changed  in  quality,  manifesting 
great  gain  in  force  of  conviction,  rose  higher  and  higher,  and 
finally  gave  vent  to  cries  of  exultation,  aspiration,  exaltation — 
they  chanted  a  triumph :  a  victory  leading  them  onwards  and 
upwards  towards  something  beyond  in  the  direction  of  the 
Eternal  Summits  magnificent  before  their  very  eyes.  It  was 
as  if  they  saw  the  truth  in  their  faith  no  longer  militant  and 
sacrificing,  but  triumphant  in  the  Celestial  Realm. 

Strange,  yet  a  natural  consequence  of  the  truth  as  they  saw 
it :  as  the  life  of  the  kid  departed  by  the  blood  of  sacrifice  re- 
turning into  the  earth  among  the  grass  of  the  field  from  which 
it  had  come  and  upon  which  it  had  fed,  there  arose  a  new 
life — a  resurrection  from  the  depths  of  misery  and  woe;  a 
new  song — a  triumphal  song — a  song  of  the  Saved  Ones.  The 
native  choristers  seemed  possessed  with  renewed  hope  and 
vitality;  and  acting  under  these  influences  they  found  the 
burden  of  their  song  changed  to  suit  a  new  condition  which 
they  certainly  discerned. 

In  the  case  of  these  Himalaya  nature-worshipers,  this  ordi- 
nary killing  of  a  beast  for  food,  as  practiced  by  their  ancestors 


280        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

from  time  immemorial,  had  been  used  by  the  Mind  of  Nature, 
the  Creator  Father,  to  teach  a  philosophic  truth  through  tlie 
religious  sense ;  the  full  significance  of  which  was  not  learned 
by  humanity  until  millenniums  after  those  primitive  ancestors 
had  found  it  to  be  a  fact  in  nature. 

Truly,  this  ancient  ritual  was  profound  in  significance;  it 
had  been  so  from  the  beginning. 

Adele  next  heard  the  priest  speaking  aloud  in  a  clear  exult- 
ing tone;  it  sounded  as  if  he  were  addressing  a  multitude. 
She  would  have  given  much  to  have  comprehended  fully  what 
he  said,  but  it  was  lost  to  her ;  his  words  passed  into  the  dis- 
tance over  the  tree-tops,  into  space,  off  towards  the  Celestial 
region  where  the  Good  Spirit  would  both  hear  and  understand. 
Then  ensued  an  interval  of  suspense;  all  she  heard  was  the 
sound  of  broken  twigs  and  a  slight  tapping.  It  was  the  wor- 
shipers attaching  some  feathers  of  the  fowl  and  small  pieces 
of  raw  flesh  of  the  kid  to  the  trees.  The  feathers  were  to 
flutter  in  the  wind  as  more  signals  to  the  Spirits  of  the  Air, 
The  hair  of  the  goat  was  to  be  blowoi  by  the  breeze  as  more 
prayers  or  symbols  of  propitiation,  ever  active  before  the 
Good  Spirits. 

After  the  ceremony  was  finished,  the  primitive  procession 
started  upon  its  recessional,  wended  its  way  down  the  hillside, 
to  enter  again  their  huts,  and  feast  upon  the  burnt  offering — 
cooked. 

Adele  looked  up.  The  Ancient  Service,  in  vogue  from  the 
beginning  in  the  development  of  religious  consciousness  in 
man,  and  held  to-day  in  the  Himalaya  Cathedral,  was  fin- 
ished. The  altar  had  not  been  in  the  chancel,  but  as  of  old, 
in  the  outer  court  of  the  Temple,  in  the  world  at  large.  The 
daily  sacrifice  could  be  made  by  any  man  in  his  own  daily 
life — it  was  a  part  of  the  ritual  of  day-by-day  devotion — the 
sacrifice  of  things  seen  to  attain  spiritually  to  things  imseen. 
The  altar  might  be  in  any  man's  hearth  or  home,  in  his  heart 
or  soul-life. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        281 

Adele  had  been  present  at  a  primitive  realistic  ceremony, 
but  she  had  not  been  able  to  witness  it  with  her  bodily  eyes, 
so  great  was  the  progress  of  truth  in  life  "since  the  days  of 
sacrifice."  She  understood  now  why  the  Creator  had  led 
humanity  to  abjure  and  abolish  actual  burnt  sacrifices,  sub- 
stituting the  spiritual  experience,  in  remembrance. 

Adele  and  the  Doctor  entered  the  thicket  where  the  service 
had  been  held.  They  noticed  how  the  life-blood  had  already 
sunk  into  the  ground  and  been  absorbed  and  become  a  part  of 
it,  "earth  to  earth."  If  they  had  visited  the  Lepcha  huts,  they 
would  have  found  "ashes  to  ashes."  They  noticed  also  how 
the  recently  added  signals,  the  feathers  and  the  hair  of  the 
innocent  kid,  were  fluttering  with  the  other  color-signals; 
these  latter  new  ones  in  remembrance  of  the  day's  service. 
And  as  they  looked  around  they  heard  the  Lepchas  still  off  in 
the  distance,  singing.  They  had  plenty  of  fresh  food  now,  and 
a  joyful  spirit  within.  They  sang  as  man  often  sings,  when  at 
his  daily  work,  at  home,  in  his  shop,  or  in  the  field. 

What  more  philosophically  true  in  man's  religious  develop- 
ment, from  before  Abraham,  from  primitive  man,  from  the 
beginning  so  far  as  humanity  knows  about  itself  ?  The  Spirit 
of  Truth  in  ancient  man  had  ever  testified  to  the  shedding  of 
innocent  life-blood  instead  of  the  sacrifice  of  self,  or  personal 
surrender,  as  the  visible  sign  of  propitiation,  or  of  at-one- 
ment,  the  atonement.  A  tangible  sign,  symbolic,  which  could 
not  in  the  very  nature  of  things  be  understood  in  fuller  signifi- 
cance until  mankind  was  ready  for  the  comprehension  of  the 
unseen,  the  spiritual  sacrifice  or  atonement,  until  civilizations 
had  sufficiently  developed  to  comprehend  spiritually  what  had 
always  transpired  naturally.  The  revelation  culminating  in 
the  voluntary  sacrifice  of  Him  who  said:  "I  am  the  Truth, 
the  Life" — the  Saviour  of  mankind. 

Verily  the  Ancient  Ritual  was  worthy  of  the  Cathedral 
built  by  the  Mind  of  Nature — our  Creator-Father. 


282        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 


XLIV 

THE  EVERYDAY  RITUAL 

A  DELE  and  Paul  spent  much  time  together  wandering 
about  exploring  the  Cathedral.  Adele  said  she  heard 
sermons  in  stones,  and  voices  in  running  brooks,  and 
all  that  sort  of  thing.  Paul  hurled  stones  down  precipices, 
and  said  he  didn't  care  much  for  sermons,  anyway.  Adele 
laughed  when  he  stopped  her  at  a  spring  in  the  woods  and  in- 
sisted upon  her  tasting  the  water  when  he  himself  enjoyed  it 
freely. 

"It  goes  all  through  me,"  said  Paul.  "Delicious,  the  best 
mountain  spring  I  ever  found." 

"Of  course  it  goes  all  through  you;  such  pure  cold  water 
exhilarates  as  if  giving  a  new  life." 

"  Oh,  if  you  put  it  that  way — why,  of  course.  I  know  what 
you  mean ;  but  what  is  life,  anyway  ?  No  fellow  can  find  out ; 
nobody  knows  much  about  it." 

"Well  I  do,  and  I  intend  to  enjoy  it,"  and  she  filled  her 
lungs  with  the  mountain  air,  which  gave  her  such  buoyancy 
that  she  took  off  her  hat,  and  shook  back  her  hair  to  be  en 
rapport  with  her  own  ideal. 

"That's  all  right,  while  you  feel  like  it."  To  Paul  she 
looked  like  the  personification  of  New  Life  for  him;  and  he 
came  near  kissing  her  to  assure  himself  she  was  not  a  wood- 
nymph  who  might  vanish  in  a  tree.  M 

"People  are  not  so  stupid  as  you  think,"  said  Adele. 

"Well,  what  do  they  really  know  ?"  asked  Paul,  his  double- 
self  amused  to  hear  a  girl  assume  that  she  knew  more  of  life 
than  he,  a  man. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST       283 

Their  attention  was  distracted  for  a  moment. 

On  the  road  close  by  they  heard  the  tramp  of  feet  approach- 
ing, and  they  were  near  enough  to  speak  if  it  proved  to  be 
anyone  they  knew.  A  dandy,  a  variety  of  palanquin,  was 
passing,  and  inside  was  a  woman  of  the  English  Colony.  The 
livery  of  her  bearers  was  rather  conspicuous,  being  yellow 
with  blue  trimmings,  yet  not  in  bad  taste  for  that  region.  The 
toilet  of  the  beauty  inside  the  dandy  was  decidedly  "chic,"  and 
the  pose  between  the  curtains  drawn  aside  was  certainly  most 
captivating.  Many  had  said  of  her :  "Thy  bright  smile  haunts 
me  still." 

Paul  recognized  the  occupant  at  a  glance ;  to  Adele  she  was 
a  stranger,  Paul  had  met  her  accidentally  and  incid^itally ; 
and  upon  so  slight  an  acquaintance  had  received  an  invitation 
to  join  a  card-party  at  her  apartments.  The  invitation  had 
been  sent  him  before  the  soi-disant  widow  knew  that  Paul  was 
there  a  member  of  a  family  party,  or  she  would  have  known 
it  was  useless  to  waste  a  thought  on  him. 

Not  being  a  man  who  played  cards  for  money,  and  for  some 
other  reasons,  Paul  had  sent  a  polite  regret;  after  acknowl- 
edging to  himself  with  a  laugh  that  he  had  been  innocently 
caught  by  that  sort  of  thing  once  before,  and  didn't  intend  to 
be  again.  But  the  fellows  persisted  that  he  was  "a  fool  not  to 
go  and  see  the  fun,"  as  the  fair  creature  was  only  one  of  many 
birds  of  passage  stranded  in  India,  and  "devilish  amusing" 
when  sitting  at  the  head  of  her  own  table, 

Paul  preferred  not  to  sit  at  that  sort  of  a  table ;  and  when 
this  dashing  woman  of  the  world,  a  notable  representative  of 
her  set,  thus  appeared  on  the  public  road  in  her  dandy  state- 
conveyance,  so  very  near  Adele,  he  instinctively  stepped  be- 
tween them;  and  became  so  much  engrossed  with  Adele's 
wraps  and  her  comfort,  getting  her  things  all  mixed  up  when 
no  attention  was  necessary,  that  the  fair  one  had  passed  with- 
out receiving  the  slightest  sign  of  recognition  from  either  of 
them. 


284        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

Paul  flattered  himself  he  had  disguised  the  situation  fairly 
well,  and  so  he  had  from  a  man's  point  of  view,  but  not  from 
a  woman's.    Adele  at  once  spoke  up : 

"Don't  you  know  that  lady,  Paul  ?  Why  didn't  you  speak 
to  her?" 

Paul  turned  aside  after  his  fashion,  to  avoid  meeting  Adele's 
eyes,  but  promptly  answered: 

"Yes,  slightly — very  slightly." 

"Then  why  not  speak  to  her?  A  gentleman  never  cuts  a 
lady ;  never." 

"No,  of  course,"  remarked  Paul.  "It's  the  lady's  preroga- 
tive to  do  the  snubbing ;  some  women  seem  to  think  men  enjoy 
being  snubbed." 

"A  well-bred  woman  always  protects  herself,"  said  Adele 
briskly.  "If  I  had  been  in  that  dandy,  and  you  had  turned 
your  back  on  me,  that  would  not  have  been  the  end  of  it." 

Paul  laughed,  incredulous. 

"No,  Paul,  I  should  not  permit  any  acquaintance  to  treat 
me  so  cavalierly.    I  should  demand  an  explanation." 

"My  dear  Adele,  no  one  would  ever  treat  you  that  way," 
said  Paul,  rather  surprised  at  her  vehemence.  "That  sort  of 
thing  is  not  apt  to  happen  to  you." 

"No,  I  suppose  not,  but  I  should  resent  it  if  it  did.  Now 
tell  me,  Paul,  frankly,  why  did  you  avoid  speaking  to  that 
lady?" 

Paul  pulled  himself  together  as  best  he  could  and  tried  to 
explain. 

"Adele,  you  saw  her  yourself;  you  had  a  good  look  at  her, 
did  you  not?" 

"Yes,  I  glanced  at  her,  slightly — very  slightly;"  using  in- 
advertently Paul's  own  words,  which  still  rung  in  her  ears. 

"I  think  you  must  have  seen  her  better  than  I  did,  for  I 
did  not  look  at  her  at  all.    I  was  looking  at  you." 

"Well,  perhaps  I  did." 

"Then  we  both  know  her  slightly — very  slightly." 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        285 

"Paul,  don't  be  evasive;  I  don't  like  it.  You  were  intro- 
duced, I  was  not." 

"Well  to  be  frank,  Adele,  I  was  introduced ;  yet  I  wasn't." 

"Explain !" 

"She  introduced  herself,  and  that's  not  woman's  preroga- 
tive." 

"It  might  be,  under  some  circumstances,"  said  Adele  with 
some  asperity.    "I  know  what  you  mean,  however ;  go  on." 

"I  thought  she  held  herself  very  cheap,"  said  Paul.  "I 
never  could  recognize,  as  a  friend,  one  who  undervalued  her- 
self." 

"Oh,  dear,  I  never  would  have  thought  it !  was  she  that  sort 
of  person?"  exclaimed  Adele.  "She  didn't  look  at  all  com- 
monplace, not  with  that  stylish  turn-out  and  liveried  bearers." 

Paul  laughed  again ;  he  couldn't  help  it. 

"I  don't  see  anything  funny,"  said  Adele,  as  they  moved 
towards  an  old  stump,  took  a  seat  under  the  trees,  and  sat 
looking  forward  between  the  crimson  rhododendrons,  towards 
the  Celestial  scenery  beyond. 

"Adele,  unfortunately  she  didn't  pay  for  the  style  herself," 
remarked  Paul,  sub  rosa;  then  correcting  himself:  "Yes,  she 
did,  too ! — no !  she  didn't,  either ! — oh,  bosh !  you  know  what 
I  mean." 

This  only  made  Adele  more  pointedly  inquisitive. 

"What  are  you  talking  about?  Who  did?  her  husband,  I 
suppose." 

"No,  luckily  she  has  none." 

"Paul,  you're  outrageous  to  say  that ;  who  did  ?" 

"I  don't  know.  I  only  know  what  a  cruel,  unkind  world 
says." 

"I'm  sure  you  do  know ;  tell  me." 

"You're  extremely  inquisitive,  Adele — excruciatingly  so; 
you're  just  as  bad  as  Elsa." 

"Who's  Elsa?" 

"In  Lohengrin,  but  never  mind  her  or  him;  if  you  must 


286         A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

know  now,  if  you  insist  about  this  woman,  why,  then — some 
other  fellow,  or  other's  husband,  has  paid  for  it,"  said  Paul 
reluctantly. 

Adele  was  confused,  and  her  manner  showed  it.  She  felt 
uneasy,  and  her  words  told  on  what  account.  "Oh,  Paul,  that 
is  terrible — poor  woman — poor  soul !"  and  Adele  turned 
her  head  away  to  avoid  Paul's  eyes — her  heart  sensitive — 
pained  at  the  thought  of  the  poor  soul. 

Paul  drew  Adele  to  him  and  placed  her  head  on  his  shoul- 
der. 

"Now,  my  darling,  you  do  know  why  I  could  not  recognize 
that  woman." 

"Why  you  came  between  us  ?"  whispered  Adele. 

"Yes.    I  couldn't  help  it." 

"To  shield  me— you  felt  that  way?" 

"H'm — but  it  isn't  necessary  to  say  so." 

"I  understand — only  do  it,"  and  she  took  the  hand  of  him 
who  thus  loved  her,  in  her  own,  and  pressed  it  to  her,  her 
heart  going  out  to  him  in  tenderness. 

A  thrill  of  blissful  content  passed  through  Paul's  inner- 
most being.  He  knew  her  in  whom  he  had  believed ;  and  she 
had  faith  and  trust  in  her  protector  for  life.  They  were  truly 
happy. 

The  dandy  had  passed — gone  forever — a  mere  episode  in 
their  experience. 

Their  lives  were  thus  becoming  as  one. 

"I  shall  never  forget  our  walks  in  this  Cathedral,"  said 
Adele. 

"I  hope  not,"  said  Paul,  laconic,  and  not  nearly  so  en- 
thusiastic as  Adele  had  anticipated. 

"You  hope  not  ?  Why,  what  on  earth  is  to  prevent  our  re- 
membering ?" 

At  this  point  Paul's  natural  tendency  to  tease  a  little  got 
the  better  of  him ;  but  Adele  also  by  this  time  had  had  enough 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        287 

experience  to  recognize  his  moods,  and  to  meet  him  on  his  own 
ground. 

"I  should  like  to  clinch  it/'  said  he,  "so  that  we  couldn't 
forget." 

"I'll  remind  you  if  I  see  your  memory  weakening,"  said 
Adele. 

Paul's  countenance  exhibited  that  sort  of  smile  usually  de- 
scribed as  capacious.  "I  should  like  something  to  happen  be- 
fore we  left,"  and  he  looked  doubtfully  at  her.  Being  a  man 
of  normal  growth,  the  masculine  desire  for  actual  possession 
of  his  future  wife  had  grown  upon  Paul  recently  in  a  marked 
degree;  and  the  incidents  of  that  particular  day  led  him  to 
speak  out.  He  felt  sure  Adele  would  be  sincere  with  him 
in  response. 

Adele  as  natural  as  he  was,  woman's  instinct  told  her  to  be 
cautious,  in  fact  shy;  and  her  intellect  suggested  that  she  act 
upon  what  she  had  just  heard  Paul  say  about  people  who 
undervalued  themselves.  Of  course,  Adele  suspected  at  once 
what  Paul  hoped  would  happen ;  but  she  took  her  own  way  to 
make  him  ask  for  it. 

"What's  going  to  happen  ?"  said  Adele,  leading  him  on,  "I 
mean  what  do  you  hope  for  ?" 

"It's  just  this  way ;  let  me  tell  you." 

"I'm  listening." 

"You  call  this  a  Cathedral,  don't  you?  I  think  it  a  first- 
rate  place,  myself." 

"Admirable  for  a  short  sojourn." 

"And  more,  it's  very  suitable  for  something  special — some- 
thing for  us  two." 

"Not  to  live  in ;  it's  too  breezy." 

"I  don't  mind  a  breeze,  if  it  don't  result  in  something  worse 
— a  squall." 

"Squalls !    I  don't  permit  squalls,"  said  Adele. 

"No,  nor  I,  either ;  especially  when  another  fellow  tells  you 
squarely  to  ^forever  after  hold  your  peace.'  " 


288         A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

Adele  did  not  quite  enjoy  this  turn  in  the  conversation,  so 
changed  it  a  little. 

"But  you  missed  seeing  the  Lepcha  ritual;  you  should  see 
how  the  natives  make  their  sacrifices." 

"Sacrifices  ?  God  forbid,  my  dear.  No !  it's  all  gain  for  us 
here ;  please  don't  even  think  of  sacrificing  anything." 

"Then  we  can  attend  some  other  ritual,"  said  Adele ;  which 
remark  was  so  very  much  of  an  acknowledgment  on  her  part 
that  Paul  imagined  she  would  consent  at  once. 

"All  right !"  said  he.  "There  is  a  Church  of  England  cur- 
ate in  the  village — I'm  not  particular." 

"Also  Taoist  monks  with  masks  and  wheels.  I'm  not  so 
very  particular  myself  about  the  form,"  quizzed  Adele. 

"Don't  keep  me  on  the  rack,  my  dear;  just  tell  me  which 
you  prefer." 

"Well,  the  Taoist  ritual  is  the  most  spectacular,  the  Lepcha 
the  most  thrilling,  and  the  Church  of  England  the  most  seri- 
ous— probably,  but  I  have  my  doubts." 

"I  never  was  more  serious  in  my  life,"  said  Paul.  "The 
English  will  do ;  that  is,  if  it  suits  you  ?" 

"Me !  suits  me  !"  she  exclaimed,  but  her  expression  told  him 
well  enough  his  allusions  were  clearly  understood. 

"Yes,  of  course,  you  have  the  final  say." 

"To  decide  what?  It  was  you  who  spoke  about  something 
you  hoped  would  happen  before  we  left.  You  haven't  told  me 
what  it  is,  have  you  ?" 

"But  you  guessed  it  at  once,  Adele,  I'm  sure;  and  better 
than  I  can  tell  you.  Would  not  this  be  an  ideal  place  for  our 
marriage?    Just  arrange  it  to  suit  yourself." 

Adele  turned  her  face  away — a  little  embarrassed,  rather 
confused. 

"Oh,  don't  be  in  such  a  hurry,  Paul.    I  really  must  think." 

"I  am  not,  my  dear.  I've  thought  of  it  for  a  week,"  said 
the  ardent  lover. 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST        289 

"A  week !  you  don't  call  that  much  time  to  decide  for  life !" 
Adele  was  now  as  serious  as  her  lover  was  ardent. 

"I  decided  at  Olympus — oh,  months  ago/'  said  Paul,  a  little 
nervous.    "Didn't  you  ?" 

"Yes,  but  this  is  like  a  surprise,  after  all,  when  it  comes 
to  the  actual.  I  must  have  some  time.  Oh,  Paul,  you're  so — 
impatient;  just  like  a  boy." 

"Why  shouldn't  I  be?  I  feel  as  if  we  were  really  married 
that  evening  when  under  the  brow  of  Olympus" — and  in  one 
sense  this  was  true;  Paul  had  felt  so,  conscientiously,  as  to 
the  bond  between  them. 

"Do  you?    I  don't,"  said  Adele. 

"Why  you  must  have  thought  so,"  said  Paul,  very  incon- 
siderate in  his  ardor. 

Adele  thought  him  too  harsh  to  her,  at  such  a  time ;  and 
her  manner  showed  how  uncomfortable  he  had  made  her  feel. 

It  took  Paul  some  little  time  to  quiet  his  own  ardor,  and 
appreciate  things  from  her  point  of  view ;  finally  he  succeeded. 

"Adele,  I  suppose  it  is  sudden;  I  had  a  wrong  notion,  an 
idea  that  the  suddenness  was  only  read  about  in  novels  of  im- 
pulse, written  to  pass  the  time  quickly.  I  know  differently 
now ;  you  see  I  never  did  it  before.  Forgive  me  now,  Adele ; 
I  never  dreamed  of  hurting  you  in  any  way — it  is  too  seri- 
ous."   Paul's  ardor  had  only  taken  another  form. 

"Yes,  this  is  real  life;  sudden  and  serious,"  said  Adele, 
"more  serious  than  when  we  were  at  Olympus." 

"Tell  me  why  you  think  so  ?" 

"A  betrothal  is  truth  in  words ;  marriage  is  truth  in  deeds." 

Paul  put  his  arm  around  her  and  told  her  again  how  he 
felt  and  thought  and  wished  to  act  for  the  very  best,  for  both 
of  them.  His  manner  changed,  however.  It  was  less  ardent 
and  more  devout.  He  held  her  hand  as  if  it  were  very  precious 
to  him,  that  to  touch  her  was  a  sacred  privilege.  Never  before 
had  she  a  realizing  sense  so  intense,  of  that  manly  virtue, 
which  she  then  recognized  in  her  future  husband ;  and  for  the 


290         A  TWENTIETH  CENTUKY  IDEALIST 

first  time  she  noticed  he  used  a  new  expression.  His  words 
were  forcible,  indeed. 

"Adele,  I  love  you  with  all  my  soul  and  strength."  Then 
he  bowed  his  head  as  if  overcome. 

From  that  moment  Adele  knew  he  was  her  husband  both  in 
spirit  and  in  truth.  It  was  a  complete  answer  to  her  prayers 
for  Paul's  good,  when  she  had  prayed  in  spirit  and  in  truth  for 
him;  the  natural  consequence  of  her  prayers,  her  belief  in 
Paul,  and  her  sincerity  towards  him.  She  might  have  reason- 
ably called  him  her  husband  in  her  own  mind,  in  the  presence 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  of  truth  in  nature  and  in  religion ;  but  she 
did  not.  If  Paul  had  died  suddenly,  however,  before  their 
marriage,  she  no  doubt  would  have  done  so — in  spirit — and  it 
would  have  been  the  truth. 


A  pause,  yet  not  a  rest.  Thoughts  active,  although  neither 
could  speak.  There  was  nothing  more  Paul  could  say.  He 
had  spoken  the  whole  truth,  in  love — an  ineffable  divine  ex- 
perience. Youth's  foretaste  of  "Love  divine,  all  love  excel- 
ling." 

Adele  was  meditating  as  never  before.  Her  thoughts  flew 
as  a  bird  flies  hither  and  thither,  from  possibilities  to  other 
probabilities,  future  plans,  future  joys;  flew  outwards,  then 
inwards,  as  a  bird  among  the  branches  of  the  Tree  of  Life; 
seeking  to  know  the  good  from  the  evil,  the  best  from  the  bet- 
ter; wishing  to  pluck  fruit  from  the  Tree  of  Life,  and  yet 
preserve  the  integrity  of  her  own  conscious-self,  her  conscien- 
tious-self, as  to  what  she  ought  to  do. 

Conscience  flew  to  her  mother  to  throw  her  arms  around 
her  mother's  neck  and  find  sympathy,  while  mother's  love  told 
the  truth  in  maternal  affection  into  her  daughter's  ear;  con- 
science flew  to  her  father  for  consent  and  advice,  to  sit  on  his 
knee  once  more,  and  look  in  his  face,  and  press  his  cheek,  and 
run  her  fingers  through  his  hair,  and  be  caressed  as  "father's 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST        291 

little  girl."  The  thought  of  separation  from  loved  ones,  in 
any  degree,  what  might  it  mean  ? — a  leap  in  the  dark  ? 

No,  not  into  the  dark.  She  could  see  that,  positively,  in 
Paul's  character :  then  what  ? — a  rising  upwards,  an  ascension 
into  the  brighter  light  of  a  new  life. 

Nature  indeed  took  its  course,  and  with  the  experience  came 
the  comforting  voice  speaking  in  nature  where  the  Tree  of 
Life  grows. 

She  looked  towards  the  chancel  of  her  Cathedral;  and  how 
exquisitely  beautiful  was  the  scene !  The  place  was  decorated 
as  for  a  wedding;  and  she  saw  spiritually,  "as  in  a  dream," 
Paul  standing  at  the  chancel  rail,  waiting  for  her  to  come  to 
him. 

That  was  enough — the  dream  became  real. 

She  looked  up,  to  speak  to  Paul;  putting  her  arm  on  his 
shoulder  their  faces  met.  Like  as  a  bird,  which  had  flown 
from  branch  to  branch  in  the  spring-time  of  existence,  re- 
turns to  build  a  nest  of  its  own  among  the  beautiful  foliage 
of  life,  so  she  returned  in  spirit  and  in  truth  to  him  who 
loved  her  and  was  willing  to  give  himself  for  her. 

Only  a  word  was  uttered : 

"I  am  ready;  I  will  go  with  you,  Paul;"  and  in  her  own 
thoughts,  "I  am  yours." 


293         A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 


XLV 

RITUAL  OF  THE  HUMAN  RACE 

THUS  it  came  to  pass  that  Adele  and  Paul  were  to  be 
married  in  the  most  majestic  and  impressive  Cathe- 
dral upon  earth.  Under  the  canopy  of  heaven,  in  a 
domicile  as  well  as  edifice,  constructed  by  the  forces  of  nature 
from  designs  by  the  Supreme  Architect,  their  own  Father- 
Creator  ;  married  in  a  sacred  place,  purposed  expressly  for  the 
Creator's  own  service,  and  their  own  use ;  where  all  the  rituals 
testified  in  ways  practical  yet  mysterious  to  the  Way  of  Truth 
in  Life. 

If  they  had  chosen  the  ritual  of  the  nature-worshipers  they 
would  have  found  themselves  in  harmony  with  the  most 
ancient  of  all,  from  the  beginning;  and  the  most  widespread 
upon  the  surface  of  the  earth  as  historically  known. 

If  they  had  chosen  that  of  the  Taoists  considered  as  a  pecu- 
liar phase  of  Buddhism,  they  would  have  found  themselves  in 
harmony  with  the  most  numerous,  including  both  gnostic  and 
agnostic,  and  the  most  devoted  to  expediency  as  the  goal  of 
existence,  where  the  knowledge  of  human  nature  took  the 
most  practical  forms  of  application  to  be  foimd  upon  the 
globe  to-day.    They  would  have  had  the  majority  with  them. 

They  chose  neither ;  for  truth  progressive  had  taught  them 
to  ignore  naught  in  their  own  past  experience,  nor  in  the  ex- 
perience of  others ;  and  to  seek  "the  greater  things  than  these" 
which  enlightenment  is  ever  revealing  through  religion,  phil- 
osophy and  science. 

The  Christian  ritual  of  the  marriage  ceremony  as  it  was 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        293 

then  performed  in  the  open  air,  differed  greatly  from  that  of 
the  Lepchas,  in  that  it  was  not  held  in  a  thicket  partly 
screened,  as  if  it  were  a  quasi-secret  to  be  seen  darkly  by  both 
natural  eye  and  spiritual  sense :  nor  like  the  Taoist,  in  which 
are  prayers  in  endless  repetition,  perfunctory  effort  as  if  by 
machinery,  prayer  wheels  and  decorations  of  the  curio  order. 
The  Christian  ritual  as  given  in  this  Cathedral  under  the  aus- 
pices of  the  Creator  himself,  ignored  none  of  these;  but 
showed  that  the  truth  had  made  men  free,  freedom  in  the  in- 
dividual, freedom  by  co-operation — for  in  union  there  is 
strength  and  propagation,  proselyting  truth. 

Strange  to  say,  it  was  only  those  who  officiated  in  strait- 
laced  garments  of  the  local  form  of  ecclesiasticism  who  ap- 
peared awkward,  stiff  and  unnatural  in  manner,  and  uneasy 
in  mind  when  they  found  themselves  administering  in  the 
open  before  a  public  which  had  thus  become  free  in  spirit. 

The  wedding  took  place  upon  a  grassy  hill-side,  a  beautiful 
location  where  natural  flowers  bloomed,  and  crimson  rhodo- 
dendrons hung  in  bouquets  and  garlands  overhead,  framing 
in  the  Peaks  of  Eternal  Whiteness  (purity)  ;  a  marvelous 
symbolic  landscape,  symbolizing  that  humanity  must  pass 
through  and  under  the  crimson  of  suffering  in  order  to  attain 
the  pure  whiteness  beyond. 

The  wedding  took  place  where  the  Celestial  scenery  was  ever 
before  them ;  fleecy  clouds  hanging  like  wedding  draperies  in 
the  azure  blue  around  the  Cathedral  spires — the  spires  rising 
heavenwards,  ever  pointing  upward. 

But  at  this  particular  time  it  was  not  so  much  these  every- 
day manifestations  of  natural  facts  in  this  Cathedral  which 
impressed  those  who  officiated,  as  the  astonishing  cosmopolitan 
aspect  of  the  crowd  which  came  to  see  and  be  seen.  Repre- 
sentatives of  all  sorts  and  conditions,  racial  and  religious, 
which  the  region  contained,  engaged  in  various  occupations, 
yet  all  now  actuated  by  the  same  spirit,  to  share  and  rejoice 
in  the  happiness  of  others.    Many  among  the  crowd  of  wit- 


294        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

nesses  had  gone  through  the  marriage  ceremony  themselves; 
others  looked  forward  with  rejoicing  to  the  time  when  they 
would.  Some,  a  limited  number  chiefly  from  the  Latin  races, 
spoke  of  it  as  of  very  serious  "sacramental"  character;  but 
the  enormous  majority  did  not ;  and  very  many  did  not  know 
what  such  a  word  meant;  yet  every  individual  present  knew 
it  was  a  "holy"  condition  to  live  in,  for  mortals.  To  all,  the 
tenor  of  it  was  to  induce  mankind  to  be  happier,  to  gain 
strength  by  co-operation  in  personal  experience ;  an  experience 
never  to  be  forgotten  in  this  case,  for  natural  methods  in  re- 
ligious ceremonial  were  about  to  take  their  course,  and  make 
it  the  most  interesting  wedding  any  of  the  guests  had  ever 
attended. 

The  first  impulse  of  those  asked  to  officiate  was  to  robe 
themselves,  each  to  put  on  his  own  official  cassock,  stole,  or 
academical  gown.  Lo !  there  was  no  robing  room — positively 
no  place  suitable,  not  even  an  enclosure  to  screen  a  change  of 
garments ;  all  must  be  done  in  the  open  before  God  and  man. 
If  the  officiating  prelate  had  not  brought  his  vestments  in  a 
grip-sack  he  would  have  had  difficulty  in  assuming,  as  custom 
required,  his  usual  official  aspect.  One  unfortunate  who  laid 
great  stress  upon  his  official  garb,  his  robes  of  office,  found 
himself  exposing  a  very  soiled  undergarment,  much  less  decent, 
really,  than  the  occasion  required.  Never  was  mortal  man 
more  ashamed  of  his  personal  underwear  than  this  unfortu- 
nate who  had  previously  been  covered  in  public  by  outer  sacer- 
dotal garments. 

Another,  profiting  by  his  experience,  sought  a  little  briar 
bush  he  had  discovered  at  the  last  minute,  behind  which  to 
robe  himself ;  and  ere  he  had  assumed  his  wedding  garments, 
the  bridegroom  came. 

Paul  approached,  and  stood  waiting  for  his  bride.  He  was 
dressed  as  often  before  when  freedom  of  life  and  thought  had 
characterized  his  actions ;  in  fact,  very  nearly  as  when  he  won 
his  bride  and  told  her  of  his  love.    He  and  Adele  had  chosen 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        295 

to  commence  their  future  life  by  identifying  it  with  the  very 
freest  and  happiest  of  past  experiences;  hence  Paul  wore  a 
spotless  suit  of  white  flannels,  with  an  inner  white  waistcoat 
for  the  occasion;  his  necktie  of  light  blue,  which  suited  his 
complexion  admirably.  Verily  new  garments  in  one  sense, 
but  such  as  preserved  his  own  sense  of  freedom  just  when  he 
wanted  it  most.  Some  cigars  had  peeped  out  of  one  of  his 
pockets  just  before  he  came  forward,  but  the  Doctor  concealed 
them  at  the  last  moment.  The  lapels  of  his  coat  were  thrown 
back  upon  his  breast;  his  athletic  frame  was  vigorous  and 
active,  and  his  countenance  was  sincere  and  truthful;  his 
dark  hair  natural  in  its  folds,  and  his  eyes  more  forcible,  ener- 
getic, intense  than  ever  before. 

"I  want  you  just  as  you  are,"  Adele  had  said  to  him,  "with- 
out one  plea,  not  dressed  up  for  an  occasion ;"  and  the  healthy 
groom  came  so,  fresh,  and  clean,  and  free — a  true  man. 

Other  lovers  of  nature  present  said  he  was  "a  splendid  fel- 
low— ^he  looks  it !  Any  girl  ought  to  be  proud  of  him" — the 
truth.  He  was  indeed  much  more  a  veritable  nobleman  in  ap- 
pearance than  when  clothed  in  black. 

He  waited  for  Adele. 

The  bride,  ""arrayed  in  fine  linen  pure  and  white,"  wore 
orange  blossoms  because  symbolic  among  her  people,  the  em- 
blems festooning  the  bridal  veil  upon  her  shoulders.  Her 
forehead  was  uncovered ;  and  naught  in  her  hair  but  a  spray  of 
blossoms  held  by  a  diamond  cross — Paul's  gift.  The  cross 
glowed  and  sparkled  in  the  sunlight,  not  unlike  a  flame. 
Some  of  the  natives  called  it  a  "tongue  of  fire."  It  was  so,  a 
flame  of  affection  from  Paul  to  herself.  Her  blonde  hair  like 
her  mother's,  and  intellectual  dark  eyes  from  her  father,  gave 
an  alluring  and  mysterious  beauty;  a  combination  which  ap- 
pealed to  the  Orientals  as  angelic,  and  to  many  others  as  fasci- 
nating ;  human,  yet  spiritual. 

Adele  at  first  looked  upwards,  but  not  in  assumption — it 
was  her  natural  attitude  when  moving  freely  without  fear; 


296         A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

then  bowed  her  head  as  in  the  presence  of  God  whom  she 
loved,  and  because  she  was  with  her  beloved  in  human  ex- 
perience. 

Upon  her  father's  arm  she  came  forward,  leaning  in  submis- 
sion to  him  from  whom  she  had  received  her  life  (bios)  ;  and 
embraced  her  mother,  kissing  her  with  arms  around  her  neck, 
before  the  Creator  and  men,  in  token  of  that  mother's  love 
she  had  received,  namely  her  creation  and  preservation  in  this 
life ;  which  she  considered  were  divine  attributes,  divine  gifts 
to  be  bequeathed  to  her  own  hereafter. 

To  Paul  she  seemed  as  one  looking  towards  the  Celestial 
regions  from  which  she  must  have  come,  and  to  which  he  felt 
sure  she  was  destined  some  day.  And  the  Orientals  present 
looked  on  rapturously,  and  some  drew  in  their  breath  between 
their  teeth  with  admiration  and  respect;  their  manner  of  do- 
ing this  seemed  to  say  that  they  wished  to  imbibe  some  of  the 
happiness  which  her  presence  near  them  suggested.  Another 
voiced  the  sentiment  of  all  mankind:  "She  is  too  lovely  to 
live,  she  will  be  taken ;"  but  on  the  instant  a  twig  in  the  grass 
caught  the  skirt  of  her  gown,  and  as  she  felt  inclined  to  pause 
and  loosen  it,  the  Doctor  stooped  to  detach  it,  and  the  bride 
passed  on. 

Her  father's  dignified  presence,  markedly  paternal,  was 
also  suggestive — of  what  research  after  higher  knowledge  in 
systems  may  accomplish  when  Christianity  is  recognized  as 
the  great  incentive  to  knowledge  and  ultimate  unity.  Truth 
was  the  one  goal  in  Professor  Cultus'  scientific  investigations ; 
but  he  was  not  one  to  accept  mere  knowledge  as  adequate. 
He  must  have  the  truth  also.  His  intellectual  head  stood  upon 
his  finely  proportioned  shoulders,  witness  to  the  honesty  and 
thoroughness  of  truth  as  he  saw  it;  an  honest  man — God's 
noblest  work. 

Mrs.  Cultus,  Carlotta  Gains  Cultus,  the  bride's  mother,  was 
by  heredity  a  positive  character,  practical,  active  and  worldly- 
wise.    She  was  the  embodiment  of  that  womanly  knowledge  of 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        297 

the  science  of  social  intercourse,  the  ethics  of  society;  one, 
who  after  encountering  men  and  things,  learns  to  appreciate 
them  at  their  real  value — a  value  not  set  by  fashion,  but  by 
the  true  commonsense  standards.  Mrs.  Cultus  was  one  not 
always  properly  appreciated  by  others,  but  ever  active  on  prin- 
ciple whether  appreciated  or  not;  not  solely  in  intellectual 
lines  of  various  heterogeneous  clubs,  but  also  in  the  humanities 
when  the  appeal  to  her  seemed  reasonable,  and  therefore  nat- 
ural. Mrs.  Cultus  had  learned  through  severe  illness  certain 
truths  in  life  which  appealed  to  her  personally  with  practical 
force  and  significance ;  an  avenue  to  conviction  very  different 
from  that  of  her  husband.  Her  presence  now  manifested  that 
other  dignity  of  truth  and  worldly  wisdom  which  did  not 
repel,  but  attracted  all  who  really  knew  her,  for  confidence, 
aid  and  affection ;  her  husband  and  daughter  most  of  all,  for 
they  knew  her  best.  Being  a  mother  who  had  suffered,  she 
had  learned  to  feel  a  mother-tenderness  for  all — ^that  divine 
affection  for  humanity  ever  characteristic  of  Him  who  took 
even  little  babes  in  His  arms  and  blessed  them.  So  did  Mrs. 
Cultus,  in  this  way,  now  strive  to  follow  Him.  Devoid  of 
either  hypocrisy  or  guile,  she  was  ever  "true  to  the  life" — 
her  natural  life  as  God  had  made  her. 

And  the  bride's  friend,  the  friend  of  her  own  age;  Adele 
and  "Frank"  Winchester,  intimates;  the  one  with  whom  her 
youthful  thoughts  and  pranks  had  been  imrestrained  and  free. 
It  was  this  friend  who  had  arrayed  her  in  fine  linen,  pure  and 
white,  for  her  bridal,  and  by  working  faithfully,  almost  with- 
out ceasing,  had  embellished  her  wedding  garment  with  an 
exquisite  vine  embroidered  in  white  floss  silk,  encircling  her 
bosom,  trailing  down  to  the  hem.  Affection  and  artistic  skill 
guiding  the  willing  fingers  had  produced  this  simple  vine  and 
branches.  The  art  of  loving  simply,  yet  constantly,  entwining 
truly,  was  in  that  vine,  for  there  had  been  neither  time  nor 
place  for  elaboration ;  yet  the  vine  was  finished  in  season,  and 
decked  the  bride  at  her  wedding.     It  was  a  secret  between 


298         A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

these  chums,  how  the  worker  had  added  clandestinely  a  small 
bunch  of  thorns  embroidered  in  among  the  folds  near  the  hem 
of  her  garment,  where  Adele  could  tread  upon  them  if  she 
chose.  "Merely  to  remind  you,  my  dear,"  said  Frank,  laugh- 
ing, "what  a  thorn  in  the  flesh  I've  often  been;  these  are 
the  last — all  future  thorns  are  for  Paul."  Adele  cherished 
those  precious  thorns  as  if  they  were  jewels;  she  would  not 
have  trod  on  them — no !  no  more  than  she  would  have  wished 
her  friend  a  pathway  of  thorns. 

And  the  Doctor,  the  inquisitive,  sincere  Doctor  Wise — he 
asked  no  further  questions  when  he  stood  aside  as  the  groom's 
best  man ;  no  questions  about  things  in  the  heavens  above  and 
the  earth  beneath,  nor  even  about  the  spirits  of  just  men 
made  perfect,  here  or  anywhere  else.  The  Doctor  would  have 
much  enjoyed  wearing  knickerbockers  as  when  he  went  outing 
with  Paul,  particularly  so  since  Paul  appeared  in  white  flan- 
nels, and  if  need  be  he  could  be  ready  for  tennis  or  cricket 
as  soon  as  the  ceremony  was  over;  but  propriety  forbade. 
Proprieties  were  apt  to  be  a  wee  bit  inconvenient  from  the 
Doctor's  point  of  view;  and  just  at  present  he  was  more 
nervous  than  the  groom,  nervous  to  get  the  thing  over  and 
have  done  with  it.  Such  was  the  Doctor  as  he  appeared  on  the 
surface;  fundamentally  he  was  the  very  personification  of 
congratulation  and  joy.  He  knew  that  nature  had  taken  the 
true  course  with  these  two,  both  so  endeared  to  him.  He  re- 
joiced in  being  able  to  witness  and  appreciate  so  much  that 
was  good  in  nature  and  in  co-operation.  He  was  supremely 
happy  too,  but  from  yet  another  cause  in  nature;  that  the 
Creator  in  kindness  had  thus  made  him,  a  very  ordinary  man, 
able  to  see  so  much  clearly,  and  yet  not  himself  be  lost  in  the 
mysterious  maelstrom  of  life. 

The  ladies  gave  the  Doctor  precious  little  opportunity  to  do 
anything  whatever  on  an  occasion  when  bachelors-on-the-shelf 
do  not  count ;  but  he  did  search  the  country  from  Calcutta  to 
Nepaul  to  obtain  some  flowers  which  he  knew  were  desired 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        299 

by  Adele,  the  bridal  bouquet.  A  very  simple  one  after  all, 
white  rose-buds  amid  cultivated  heliotrope.  It  seemed  at  one 
time  as  if  every  sort  of  flower  and  shrub  flourished  in  the 
Himalaya  region  except  what  he  wanted.  He  had  parties 
hunting  heliotrope  as  if  it  might  grow  on  berry  bushes;  and 
when  from  a  lofty  tree  mistletoe  was  brought  him  by  mistake, 
he  nearly  sent  the  bearer  to  the  foot  of  a  precipice.  But  he 
got  it.  It  was  finally  obtained,  near  by  in  a  private  conserva- 
tory, much  to  his  relief  and  Adele's  delight.  The  bouquet  held 
attached  an  exquisite  lace  handkerchief  passed  through  a  ring ; 
the  ring  was  set  with  a  sapphire  of  purest  quality,  that  pecu- 
liar shade  in  depth  and  delicacy  which  in  the  Orient  is  sup- 
posed to  characterize  the  plumage  of  the  Bird  of  Immortality. 
This  gem,  ever  constant  day  or  night,  responsive  to  every  ray 
of  light,  symbolized  the  true  blue  of  precious  worth — truth 
in  purity  and  love.  This  was  the  Doctor's  gift.  Adele  had 
heard  him  speak  of  such  a  stone  and  its  significance  among 
sapphires  of  so  many  colors.  She  read  his  very  thoughts  as 
she  pressed  his  hand  when  accepting  this  significant  and  beau- 
tiful gift.  The  fragrance  of  the  flowers  direct  from  nature; 
the  handkerchief  a  work  of  art ;  and  the  gem  a  true  blue  sym- 
bol— all  brought  memories  of  their  search  after  something 
worth  knowing  in  many  fields.  Never  did  Adele  appear  more 
idyllic,  poetic,  aye,  pastoral  in  the  higher  sense,  than  at  this 
moment;  and  the  Doctor  blessed  her — in  spirit. 

Thus,  when  Paul  advanced  to  meet  his  bride,  they  stood 
among  their  own ;  the  bridal  party  among  their  own  race  and 
nationality,  together  with  cousins  from  their  Mother  Country, 
England — their  faces  radiant  with  hope  and  pleasure.  A 
choral  of  mixed  voices,  volimteers  from  the  Christian  Colony, 
sang  the  processional;  and  the  anthem  was  heard  upon  earth 
as  it  ascended  heavenward.  This  near  a  chancel  rail  of  natural 
growths,  the  line  suggested  by  a  carpet  of  wild  flowers  with 
cultivated  beauties  placed  at  intervals.  And  there  were  tree- 
ferns  and  palms,  fountains  of  foliage  at  either  end ;  the  fresh- 


300        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

ness  of  the  fountains  springing  from  the  centre  of  the  plant, 
its  life  within,  not  from  near  the  exterior  bark.  Adele  had 
expressed  a  desire  for  these  plants  with  their  heart-life  in  the 
centre;  also  because  their  significance  was  simple  in  nature, 
their  natural  beauty  artistic,  and  their  natural  meaning  too 
exalted  and  widespread  to  be  affected  seriously  by  passing 
fashions  or  fads.  And  the  crimson  rhododendrons  decorated 
the  background,  while  before  them  the  Delectable  Mountains 
and  the  azure  blue. 

The  ceremony  was  first  directed  towards  the  world  at  large, 
for  each  individual  to  learn,  mark,  and  spiritually  digest  that 
which  this  couple  manifested  of  truth  in  humanity.  It  was  a 
solemn  period,  while  the  people  gave  heed,  each  reading  his  or 
her  personal  experience  into  that  of  the  new  couple;  to  each 
(such  was  the  condition  in  nature),  from  his  individual  point 
of  view.  As  a  matter  of  fact  Adele  felt  as  if  the  minister  was 
speaking  of  some  other  than  herself,  and  Paul  felt  as  if  all 
eyes  must  be  turned  on  Adele. 

Then  the  Servant  of  God  turned  towards  this  man  and 
woman  who  would  be  one;  a  sacred  moment  when  he  pro- 
nounced them  husband  and  wife.  They  knelt  together,  her 
hand  in  his — their  first  united  prayer  to  "Our  Father  who 
art,"  for  this,  from  Him,  unto  themselves — as  also  One. 

And  when  they  arose,  and  together  turned  to  face  the  world, 
behold  a  cloud  of  witnesses,  out  in  the  nave  of  the  Cathedral, 
a  multitude  upon  the  hill-slopes  and  skirting  the  forests, 
every  vantage  ground  occupied  by  natives  drawn  hither 
by  the  world-wide  desire  to  see  "a  bride  adorned  for  her  hus- 
band ;"  actuated  by  countless  motives  which  primitive  and  nat- 
ural curiosity  suggested;  curious  to  see  what  the  dominant 
people,  English  or  Americans,  would  do  when  worshiping  in 
the  outer  air  like  themselves ;  curious  to  see  what  a  Christian 
marriage  was  like.  Would  it  be  gay  and  festive  like  their  own  ? 
what  sort  of  a  dress  would  be  worn  by  the  bride?  and  would 
all  her  belongings  and  presents  be  carried  along  the  road  so 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST        301 

that  all  could  see  that  she  was  rich  ?  and  would  there  be  a  real 
feast?  Thus  many  had  been  attracted  by  very  practical  rea- 
sons which  they  considered  suitable  to  the  occasion. 

And  who  were  these  in  bright  array  after  their  fashion?  a 
little  group  not  far  from  the  bride  herself.  As  if  they  had 
been  especially  invited,  they  stood  before  some  bamboo  wands, 
decorated  for  a  gala-day ;  not  before  a  thicket  as  once  before, 
but  with  their  bright  signals  in  the  open,  the  prayer-signals 
floating  in  the  wind  to  attract  the  Good  Spirits  of  the  air. 

And  who  were  these  in  yellow  robes?  with  trumpets  and 
bowls  in  their  hands,  and  outlandish  masks  pendant  from  their 
girdles ;  yet  cheerful  faces  withal,  and  wearing  fillets  and  ear- 
rings of  turquoise  and  coral  taken  from  the  ^^curio-case"  in 
their  Temple.  And  one  poor  decrepit  native  priestess  with 
her  good  old  prayer-wheel  and  bean  rosary,  twirling  the  wheel 
and  rattling  the  beans  regardless  of  all  else;  one  who  knew 
her  wheel  and  rosary  were  good,  because  they  were  very  old, 
like  herself — she  had  used  them  from  childhood.  Who  were 
they? 

Because  they  were  not  arrayed  in  modern  dress,  some 
thought  them  intruders,  sheep  of  another  fold  gotten  astray. 
Many  thought  so,  all  except  Paul  and  the  Doctor  who  knew 
what  Adele  herself  had  done ;  how  she  had  gone  out  into  the 
highways  and  hedges  to  compel  them  to  come  in  and  take  their 
place  near  her.  They  were  surely  entitled  as  members  of  the 
congregation  of  the  original  Primate  of  the  Cathedral,  these 
poor  Lepchas  now  Adele's  friends,  to  a  place  very  far  front. 
And  the  gay  Taoists,  also  her  Himalaya  friends,  whom  she 
had  met,  and  with  whom  she  had  worshiped  in  their  own 
chapel,  learning  to  be  with  them  and  of  them,  in  spirit.  Al- 
though crude  and  tawdry  now,  these  Taoists,  they  were  the 
professed  followers  of  Laotze,  a  highly  spiritual  man  who  had 
given  to  the  world  one  of  the  most  abstruse,  recondite,  meta- 
physical forms  of  religion  ever  known  to  humanity.  "Oh, 
what  a  fall  was  there  V  thought  Adele  as  she  saw  the  Taoists 


302        A  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  IDEALIST 

of  to-day;  but  she  invited  them  just  the  same,  she  wished 
them  to  be  with  her  now  on  an  occasion  she  considered  sacred. 

And  more  surprising  still,  in  this  region : 

Who  were  those  two  men,  splendid  examples  of  physical 
manhood,  men  of  darker  complexions?  They  had  been  en- 
gaged in  distributing  corsage  bouquets  and  boutonnieres 
among  the  bridal  party,  and  they  now  stood  side  by  side  as  the 
bride  passed  by.  They  saluted  her,  in  a  polite  manner  and 
with  a  style  quite  their  own,  and  the  bride  recognized  with 
sincere  satisfaction  their  presence.  Who  were  they?  Verily 
of  the  race  she  knew  best,  next  her  own.  Originally  from 
Nubia  in  Africa,  where  their  near  ancestors  had  worshiped 
in  the  forests,  they  were  now,  already,  by  the  will  of  the 
Creator,  full  citizens  of  her  own  beloved  land.  Adele  had 
found  them  in  the  bazaar,  where  they  had  drifted  in  from 
God-knows-where  in  "God's  Own  Country ;"  but  to  Adele  they 
represented  the  colored  people  of  her  own  United  States. 
They  were  men  who  had  shed  their  life-blood  for  the  cause 
of  Truth  in  Freedom,  and  the  Truth  had  made  them  free. 
They  were  true  men  as  God  had  made  them  such,  in  His  own 
way,  but  young  in  the  experience  of  civilization.  They  were 
now  educating  themselves  by  knowledge  of  the  world  for 
greater  things  to  come ;  educating  themselves  with  an  energy 
and  rapidity  never  before  excelled  by  any  race.  Adele  had 
determined  to  help  them  along;  for  woe  betide  anyone  who 
dares  ignore  or  impede  the  way  of  the  Almighty  in  nature, 
where  the  progress  of  the  race  is  in  unity  with  the  progress 
of  religion  itself.  She  said  afterwards,  that  there  was  no 
feature  more  home-like  among  the  incidents  connected  with 
her  wedding,  than  to  have  these  Freedmen  from  "God's  Own 
Country,"  from  home,  to  distribute  the  cultivated  flowers  of 
civilization  which  they  themselves,  that  very  morning,  had 
helped  to  collect,  to  arrange,  and  to  give  to  others. 

Thus  to  some  few  of  the  native  witnesses  to  this  wedding, 
to  some  few  whom  Adele  had   met   personally,   she   became 


A  TWENTIETH  CENTUEY  IDEALIST        303 

known  as  "The  Lady  of  Loving-Kindness;"  and  no  doubt 
they  would  in  time,  some  of  them,  have  erected  a  shrine  to  her 
memory,  for  they  well  remembered  her  beauty  and  the  Flam- 
ing Cross  Light  which  sparkled  upon  her  forehead.  And  still 
later  their  descendants  would  have  bowed  down  to  an  image 
of  her,  saying  they  did  not  worship  the  image,  but  the  Loving- 
Kindness  which  she  represented. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  to  the  majority  of  the  Orientals 
actually  present,  but  to  whom  she  was  not  known  personally, 
strangers  to  her,  the  effect  was  very  different.  To  them  the 
bride  was  now  as  one  separated  from  them  more  than  before : 
this  because  she  had  become  subject  to  the  will  of  her  husband, 
and  must  hereafter  walk  behind  him,  not  beside  him,  when 
she  went  abroad;  and  in  time  must  present  him  with  a  son, 
or  else  perhaps  it  was  better  she  herself  had  never  been  born. 
Such  were  the  actual  facts  with  regard  to  some  of  the  wit- 
nesses. Yet,  how  natural,  yet  unnatural,  are  such  concep- 
tions; natural  to  man  in  the  primitive  or  childhood  period  of 
his  spiritual  life,  yet  truly  unnatural  when  taught  otherwise 
by  more  matured  civilizations,  when  mankind  has  become  en- 
lightened further  by  the  brighter  spiritual  Light  of  the  "World. 

To  Paul  and  Adele,  now  as  one,  it  was  just  the  reverse. 
They  stood  side  by  side,  with  their  religious  consciousness 
turned  to  One  whose  bride  was  the  Church  Spiritual,  of  whom 
all  nations  of  the  earth  are  blessed. 

As  the  bridal  party  returned  homewards  through  this 
throng  of  sympathetic  spectators,  it  was  as  if  all  had  been  in- 
vited to  this  Marriage  Feast. 

The  Spirit  and  the  Bride  had  said,  "Come." 


THE  END. 


ENTANO'S 
lera  &  Stationers,! 
ion  Snuare. 


'■■:''\^^u^l;^^sym 


